The conspiracy by Andhra Pradesh to intrude and forcibly hold elections in Gangapada panchayat of Gajapati district in Odisha on Saturday failed.
Due to timely efforts of Gajapati Collector Anupam Saha, not a single person cast vote.Administrative and police officials of Odisha led by Sub-Collector Sangram Sekhar Panda protested the action of the neighbouring State.
Besides, earlier, they held frequent meetings with the villagers of Gangapada panchayat, following which two women candidates, who had filed their nominations for the elections, withdrew their papers and all villagers assured not to vote.
As per the assurances, Rayagad block’s Gangabad, Madhiakhal, Manikapatan, Burusingh and Amaringi villages’ locals boycotted the polls, said the Sub-Collector.
However, it was alleged that some votes were cast in the names of people of Gajapati district with fake identity proofs.The Andhra Pradesh police also misbehaved with electronic mediapersons and deleted the footages they had collected in their cameras. The district journalists’ association condemned the highhandedness of the Andhra Pradesh police.