In last three terms, it is the Independent candidates who held sway over the Baleswar Municipality. This time, too, the Independents are like to repeat the show. Anup Das successfully garnered the support of the councillors in his favour twice to capture the hot post of chairman in 1997-2002 and 2003-08.
In the last elections, he also played out his role quite effectively. Therefore, basically winning polls here, forming the council and making one’s presence felt had been virtually a one-man show. No political party, be it Congress, BJP or BJD, despite best efforts, could affect his scheme of things till his demise.
Das was chairman of the municipality for two terms. His wife Sujata Das, who recently joined the BJD, is the chairperson of the current term. The civic body is the second oldest in the State with 31 wards and the current elections are held with the Census, 2001.
In the last elections, the ruling BJD couldn’t win a single seat. The party could claim to have some councillors in the municipal council as a few councillors had joined the party in 2009 after the 2009 general elections.
This time, the elections would be quite different from the earlier ones as the
reservation for women has shot up to 50 per cent along with other caste and
community reservations. After scrutiny and withdrawal of nomination papers, 160 candidates including 70 Independent candidates, are in the fray for the elections to the civic body this time.
last time, of the 31 wards, the Independent candidates had captured 21 wards thereby registering an absolute majority. This time too, the Independents are likely to play a crucial role. Nearly, 91,000 voters will exercise their franchise through 85 booths in 31 wards in the municipality. While BJD has fielded candidates in 31 wards, Congress has done it in 26 wards and BJP has fielded in as many as 30 wards.
Apart from the Baleswar Municipality, three NACs in the district are also going to polls on September 19. While 64 candidates are contesting in 19 wards of Soro NAC, 52 are in the fray for Nilagiri NAC, consisting of 13 wards, followed by 60 candidates in 17 wards of Jaleswar NAC.
In the current elections, while the fight would be mainly between the BJD and the Congress, in some cases, the fight will be a triangular one with the BJP candidates throwing tough challenge.
The NCP led by veteran politician Arun Dey, while preferred to bank on the Independent candidates rather than fielding candidates, the CPI, the Utkal Bharat and the Kalinga Sena have fielded a few candidates. However, there are too many aspirants for the top post which is reserved for OBC general this time.
The candidates for the top post have begun their actions so that the maximum candidates of their line win the elections. In BJD a lot of commotion surfaced during finalisation of ticket distribution.
The BJD lost the last by-election held in ward no 23 which was vacant after death of Anup Das. Although Sujata Das, the incumbent chairperson, joined the BJD a few days ago and this time again projected as chairperson candidate, yet she is being opposed by many in the party.