TV
Though the power corridor was revamped in Odisha after the 2024 General Elections and three months have passed since then, many candidates from different parties are yet to digest their defeats. As a result, a record number of petitions, challenging different facts submitted by the winning candidates in their affidavits like their educational qualifications and caste certificates, has been filed in the Orissa High Court.
As per reports, while 10-15 petitions were filed after the 2019 General Elections, as many as 30 petitions have been filed against the winning candidates so far after the 2024 General Elections alleging that they have submitted false affidavits. Sambalpur MP and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Rabindra Narayan Behera are among those candidates. However, the highest number of petitions has been reportedly filed against BJD candidates.
The highest number of four petitions has been filed against Rourkela MLA Sarada Prasad Nayak. Petitions have also been filed against Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta, Jharsugu MLA Tankadhar Tripathy, Binjharpur MLA Pramila Mallik, Nayagarh MLA Arun Sahoo and Soro MLA Madhab Dhada.
As per political experts, close fights in the 2024 General Elections are the reason why so many petitions have been filed. BJP candidate Jagannath Pradhan lost to Ananta Narayan Jena from Bhubaneswar Central seat by a whisker with a margin of just 37 votes. Pradhan has also moved the High Court against Jena.
While many candidates of different parties have their faith on judiciary, some others have put question marks on the long judicial process.
“My supporters had worked very hard for me and they find it hard to accept this kind of result. Hence, I have moved the court. I have belief in the judicial system,” said Jagannath Pradhan.
“If any candidate files false affidavits, a petition is filed against him/her. There are also instances when membership from the Assembly is cancelled. I have full faith in the judiciary,” said Sipra Mallick, who contested from Kendrapara on a Congress ticket.
“Sometimes, justice doesn’t come even after the completion of five years. I request the judiciary to complete the hearing within a short period so that the petitioners will get justice,” said Sudhir Samal, who contested from Dhenkanal on a BJD ticket.
As per sources, there was no system to submit affidavits along with the nomination papers for the candidates before 2002. However, as per the order of the Supreme Court, the candidates are now submitting affidavits about their properties and criminal cases against them and the information is made available in the public domain. As per experts, the development is facilitating opposite candidates to file petitions against them.
“As people are becoming more aware, the number of election-related petitions is gradually increasing,” said lawyer Gopal Agarwal.
