Photo: Lingaraj Panda

AIR OF ANTICIPATION: The scene in Sikiri village ahead of elections.

HINJLI (Ganjam district): All the five rival candidates for the post of sarpanch at Sikiri village claim to be supporters of Naveen Patnaik and his party, the BJD. It can happen in the areas under Hinjli Assembly constituency represented by Mr. Naveen Patnaik. Same is the story for the post of sarpanch in Makarjhol village.

Polling for panchayat elections is to be held on February 13 in Hinjli block. But persons heading the BJD campaign like Sibaram Gouda, chairperson of the Hinjli NAC, seem to be relaxed as they say it is Mr. Naveen's personal charisma that is the force behind all candidates in the area. The candidates for the posts of sarpanch and samiti member, which are not fought on party lines, have the photographs of Mr. Naveen on their posters.

A group of BJP supporters campaigning for the ZP candidate near Sikiri says it is campaigning without any help from top leaders of the party as the whole area seems to be under Mr. Naveen's spell.

Developmental works

Mr. Gouda feels developmental works during Naveen's period, especially the economic surge experienced by some 400 women Self-Help Groups (SHG) of the area, have changed the tide in favour of Mr. Naveen Patnaik.

In Makarkhol, S. Sanjukta and K. Shankar are contesting for the post of sarpanch. But, both are seeking votes in the name of Mr. Naveen.

In Sikiri, Kishor Chandra Nayak, the sarpanch candidate supported by the BJD, is worried as his four rivals also claim themselves to be BJD men. Surendra Pradhan, BJD president of Hinjli Assembly constituency, claims BJD would sweep the panchayat polls. He, however, has respect for some Congress rivals who continue to hold sway because of their past record of social service. One such Congressman happens to be Abhiram Pradhan, a samiti member candidate from Ralab village.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail