In a major development that could cost Kendrapada BJD MlA Kishore Tarai a lot in the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of candidatures in Penthapala panchayat in Pattamundai block, another rival candidate, Pramila Mallick, of the MlA’s wife Babita Behera, on Tuesdayemerged in public saying her nominations were withdrawn arbitrarily without her knowledge.
The statement of Mallick came a day after Gayatri Sethy, another of the three Samiti member candidates, including the MlA’s wife, claiming that she had willingly withdrawn from the fray.
“I have neither visited the block office nor have applied for withdrawal of my nominations. I don’t know about the withdrawal,” Pramila told reporters after recording her statement before Kendrapasa ADM-cum-Inquiry Officer Dhananjay Swain at Pattamundai tehsil office. Pramila submitted a written statement to the ADM while then Pattamundai BDO Prashant Rout and other officials who had assisted him at the time of withdrawal of nominations also recorded their depositions.
While Gayatri did not turn up before the Inquiry Officer as she is reportedly undergoing treatment in Bhubaneswar, her husband Daitari Sethy appeared before the ADM. As many as 13 persons recorded the statements on Tuesday.
“I have recorded statements of proposers, seconders and candidates, BDO and block employees who had helped him in withdrawal work. There are contradictions in statements. I am examining these statements. I will submit my report soon,” said Swain.
Notably, two female Samiti member candidates, Pramila Mallick and Gayatri Sethy had on January 22 lodged written complaints against Kendrapara MlA and Pattamundai BDO for getting their nominations withdrawn fraudulently thereby facilitating victory for the MlA’s wife uncontested.
The two complainants accompanied by Congress leader Ganeswar Behera had met the SEC on January 24 and lodged a complaint. Following which the SEC ordered an inquiry and basing on the report Pattamundai BDO was transferred.
Surprisingly, on Monday, Gayatri’s husband Daitari Sethy i on Monday submitted applications to the district Collector and SP purportedly written by Gayatri stating that she had in person along with her seconders and proposers submitted her application before the BDO on January 21to withdraw her candidature. She had claimed in the letter that yielding to pressure from Congress leaders she had stated that she had not withdrawn her nominations.
But Sanjukta Sethy, the proposer of Gaytri Sethy, informed the media, after giving her deposition, that neither she nor Gayatri Sethy visited Pattamundai block office for giving signature to withdraw nominations.
On the other hand, the district BJP unit lodged a complaint at the Town police station demanding action against the MlA for his false information about his father and wife in affidavits. Meanwhile, Khirod Kumar Behera, the former tehsildar of Rajnagar, took charge as the BDO-cum-Election Officer of Pattamundai.