With speculation that Nachika linga of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha (CMAS) will surrender before police in a meeting at Balipeta, near Narayanpatna, there was a beeline of activists, mediapersons and political leaders to the spot.
Everyone, including the villagers supporting Nachika, who were on their way to Balipeta, went through a tight security check by heavily guarded BSF personnel. The congregation was relatively less than expected as many of the CMAS supports had surrendered earlier en masse. Though Nachika met and interacted with the outside activists and mediapersons, he did not surrender on the plea of threat to his life from the security forces. His lawyer, who came prepared for Nachika’s surrender, had to go back.
There was rumour that Nachika may contest as an MlA from laxmipur constituency either independently or through a BJD ticket. This will pave the way for sitting MlA Jhinna Hikaka to contest as Koraput MP from BJD. Notably, Jhinna was earlier abducted by the Maoists and later released on certain conditions. However, after Hema Gomang was fielded from laxmipur Assembly seat as a BJD candidate, Nachika’s aspiration to contest polls has been shattered.
Adding insult to the injury, Daya and Arun from Maoist’s Srikalulum-Koraput Divisional Committee and Narayanpatna Area Committee respectively, in a joint statement, have declared that though the Maoists support the activities of the CMAS, but they do not approve of CMAS getting involved in politics. They said that the PRI members, who got elected uncontested with support of the CMAS, are not staying in Narayanpatna area and have not performed to the expectation of the people. The Maoists protested Nachika’s possible surrender and participation in politics and warned him and his associates of refraining from the move.
The statement also said that after the release of Jhinna Hikaka, the Government which had agreed to fulfill ten demands of the Maoists through representatives like Minister Rabi Nanda, Jayaram Pangi, Raghuram Padal and Hikaka has violated the pact. They appealed the public to protest the selfish politics of Nachika and boycott the ensuing elections.
It may be noted here that Jhinna, after his abduction and release by the Maoists, did not visit the constituency due to threat of the Maoists. His entire family has shifted to Bhubaneswar. It will be extremely difficult for him to campaign in this constituency. Same will be the case for Hema, who has been rehabilitated in BJD after quitting Congress. The candidates of major political parties will most likely face the wrath of the Maoists, said sources.