Many candidates are allowed to contest the coming PRI election, violating the rules and ignoring the public complaints in Keonjhar.
The irregularities came to light by this reporter visited some areas to study the ground situation under Champua Assembly constituency.
Sources reveal one Kabindra Naik, a BJD candidate for 27 no Zone of Zila Parishad, has three children as alleged by the supporters of Basu Naik and other opposition candidates. When we wanted to know his views, Kabindra stated that the same allegation was brought against him when he was the Chairman of Joda block last time but the opposition party could not prove it.
Notably, one must not have more than two children and must be a voter of the respective constituency for which he/she is contesting to be eligible to contest the three-tier panchayat election.
Similarly, it is alleged by one Narendra Patra that Rekha Naik, one of the Sarpanch candidates for Kera Khendra GP - a newly constituted of Keonjhar district, is contesting the election even if she has no name in the voter list. Narendra further alleged that the Opposition candidate had filed a written complaint on this before the concerned election officer but it was overlooked. Even copy of the complaint was sent to Collector ,Keonjhar, Sub- Collector, Champua and BDO, Joda, but no action was taken yet.
When contacted, Joda BDO Anil Kumar Mallick, who is also the block election officer, told that nothing can be done at this stage and after election is over matter can be inquired by the appropriateauthority and at that time if anyone is found guilty, appropriate action will be taken against him.