The Odisha Marine Fish Producers’ Association (OMFPA), the apex body of trawler and fish producers at Paradip, recently held its organisational elections.
What came as a surprise in the elections was that incumbent president of OMFPA Sumant Biswal, who is Paradip BJD unit president and a close aide of Minister Damodar Rout, lost the post to Srikant Parida.
Biswal had been the OMFPA president for three terms. His defeat, in spite of by BJD sympathizers inside the OMFPA and Rout, has jolted the BJD. Out of total 416 OMFPA members, only 181 voted in favour of Biswal while 191 went to Parida.
Sources said support of few local Congress heavy weights and Rout opponents helped Srikant to grab the post.
When contacted, Sumant Biswal said OMFPA is a non-political body and there is no role of political leaders in the election. “I accept election results and gives regard to the OMFPA members’ opinions. It is not a political body at all,” he said.
Meanwhile, newly elected president Parida has greeted OMFPA members for electing him as president. He said he would take steps rejuvenate the OMFPA, which had lack able leadership in the last decade.
Among other functionaries, Amarjit Jena and Ashok Sahoo were elected as vice-presidents, Kishor Kumar Ray as general secretary, Gobardhan Behera as joint secretary and Rashmi Ranjan Parida as treasurer.