A BJP delegation on Tuesday met and discussed with the State Election Commission (SEC) and demanded immediate announcement of dates for both panchayat and urban local bodies’ elections simultaneously. The delegation stated that the elections are pending since 2018 and the State Government does not want to hold them fearing the ruling party’s debacle. The SEC should not be biased by the Government and should not violate the spirit of the 74th Constitutional Amendment and the Article 243(U) and Article (E) of the Constitution to hold polls in time.
Because of the absence of elected representatives, the bureaucrats rule the roost and siphon funds, alleged the delegation. Even funds sent by the Centre for housing, drinking water, sewerage, lighting and health services do not reach people, it said.
The delegation included Pitambar Acarya, Golak Mahapatra, MLA Prakash Soren, Jagannath Pradhan and Shankar Parida.