Who gave Re 1-kg riceIJ Gautam Bhai, who elseIJ Who gave drinking waterIJ Gautam Bhai, who elseIJ Who gave old age pensionIJ Gautam Bhai, who elseIJ Who built roads, bridges and dug wells and pondsIJ Gautam Bhai, who elseIJ
So went the sloganeering for a sarpanch nominee in a panchayat in Dhenkanal district, with there being no stop to the showering of praises and the accompanying commotions. All the credits for the State or the Central Governments’ schemes seem to go to the nominee who was a former sarpanch of the area. People virtually forgot Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik or PM Narendra Modi or even the local MlA who also happens to be from the BJD, as they were in a frenzied mood being a part of the campaign for which they got everything, from money, wine to feast and gifts.
The road show for the candidate comprised a band of drummers, pipers and dancers, hundreds in tow of the sarpanch candidate, besides a DJ sound set, and several dozens of vehicles. Every chhak and alley of the panchayat was marked by festoons of posters. Besides, some hoardings and banners were hung. The candidate was waving to the crowds which stood by the road where the show was passing.
In the back of the procession, villagers talked among one another about the candidate and his pros and cons. There was also a talk of how before the procession started the village youths were called to a remote spot where a non-veg feast was arranged. There was also no dearth of wine and cash.
The situation is by and large same as every nook and corner of Odisha is in the grip of panchayat poll fever. While for some it is nothing less than a gala time, for some others who have fielded themselves as candidates, it is time for hectic activity, when one has to slug it out for the next five years.
Even as the SEC has set limits on poll expenses, there seems to be few takers. For, the filing of nominations for various posts, the first stage of the whole election process, is marked by costly shows. The candidates coming to file nominations show their mettle by huge gathering of supporters. For this, they are just splurging on them.
The school and hospital in their village are in a shambles as posts of teachers and doctors have remained vacant for long; many CC roads have developed cracks and potholes; the main road to their village has turned a death trap; the canal for which they sacrificed their land is defunct. But hardly are the villagers bothered; what they are focused on is immediate gain.