Campaigning for the ensuing UlB elections here has been stepped up as the candidates are seen moving door-to-door for seeking votes.
The ruling party candidates are making tall promises pertaining to various projects in the civic body, while the Opposition parties are pointing out the misrule and corruption of the BJD Government and its failure to ensure basic amenities in the NAC area here. The Congress candidates alleged that the council of the NAC had indulged in several misappropriation cases and made false bills in respect of non-existent projects. They chareged that the fraud committed in Athagarh civic body was worth crores of rupees, while the authirities were shying away to provide information under RTI Act on different projects.
MlA Ranendra Pratap Swain is found to be the star campaigner for the BJD candidates, while former Chief Engineer Bichitrananda Muduli is heding Congress campaign. In all the 18 wards, the contest is clearly seen between the Congress and BJD candidates. A survey shows Congress is in a better position than BJD in ward 1,2,4,5,7,8,12,15,16,17 and 18. Congress party in-charge Muduli said due to acute negligence in providing the basic amenities to Athagarh people by the last council, the voters want a change this time and it is Congress on whom they repose their faith to accomplish this task.