The people of disputed Gangabada gram panchayat in Gajapati district, which had courted controversy last year for the Andhra Pradesh Government’s illegal claim over it as part of its territory, are all set to participate in the three- tier panchayat elections in Odisha to be held next month.
As many as 1,515 voters of 20 revenue villages and four hamlets which together formed 11 wards of the gram panchayat are all set to cast their votes despite AP Government’s aggression.
On the last day of filing nomination on Friday, six candidates for Sarpanch post, three for Samiti Member and 11 candidates filed their nomination for ward members’ post.
The AP Government had thrown no stone unturned to stake its claim on Gangabada and adjoining villages and had even attempted to conduct AP gram panchayat elections besides initiating development work.
Interestingly, nobody from Manikpatana village filed nomination this time. People here are still skeptical about the 100% participation of people in the disputed villages.