Ward members play a crucial role in development of rural areas. But in the absence of contestants for hundreds of ward member posts in Subarnapur district, the development process may get derailed.
Although the State Election Commission (SEC) will issue a fresh notification and hold polls to fill up vacancies, there is little hope of the posts getting filled-up.
In the district, out of 1,462 ward member posts, 112 wards have not received any nomination while 720 contestants have won unopposed and voters will select their representative in 630 wards.
On other hand, different political parties have stepped up their election campaign here. leaving the ward member, sarpanch and PS Member candidates to fight their electoral battle themselves, the political bosses have chosen to concentrate mainly on 13 Zilla Parishad (ZP) zones of the district. Electioneering by the ruling BJD and BJP has picked up pace.
While the BJD is harping on the different welfare schemes initiated by it, the BJP is highlighting “17 years of BJD misrule.” The Congress is also trying hard not to be left behind in the campaign trail.