A fresh date to hold election for the position of Chairperson of Chhatrapur block is likely to be announced soon.
The election for the post on the scheduled date was cancelled as six Samiti Members said they were suffering from Covid-19. There are total 18 members in the body.
The six Samiti members, said to be supporters of the Chhatrapur MLA, have reportedly complained of Covid contamination leading to the postponement of the crucial election causing serious embrassment to the local administration and the Election Commission.
On the other hand, twelve Samiti Members have demanded that election be conducted immediately. They held a dharna before the district Collector and later withdrew it after the district administration assured them of holding fresh election at the earliest.
Meanwhile, most of the rebel members reportedly met BJD general secretary Pranab Prakash Das and reached to a settlement that a fresh nominee from among the rebel Samiti Members would be nominated soon for the post of Block Chairman.
In another significant development in Ganjam NAC, most of the senior citizens and intellectuals reportedly have decided to support independent candidates to contest the urban body elections alleging that the local MLA did not consult with anybody before finalising the list of nominees for his party. As a result, social worker Prativa Padhi, wife of former SE (R&B) Binod Padhi is contesting as an independent candidate. Sources said that Padhi will be locking horn with BJD and BJP candidates in the election.