Berhampur: It will not be an exaggeration to aver that many candidates are now trying to win in the election to grab power. And to achieve this goal, poll rivalry has become a common happening. However, there are exceptions to it.
The citizens cum voters of Lathipada panchayat under Surada Block in Ganjam district of Odisha have set an example ahead of the Panchayat polls. The candidates have been chosen here uncontested. As per reports, irrespective of parties and independent candidates, they unanimously selected the right candidates whom they thought are keen for brining development to the Panchayat.
This time heavy contest is being witnessed for the Panchayat polls in the state. Even, it has been seen that for many posts family members are contesting against each other. Besides, money is being spent lavishly. However, the dwellers of Lathipada Panchayat avoided all of these. Here the voters have preferred selection to election. And hence, the posts of Sarpanchs, Samiti members and 9 ward members have been elected without contest.
The Surada Block of Ganjam district is comprised of 26 Gram Panchayats. These areas have been gripped with election fever these days. The candidates are adopting different poll tricks to woo the voters. Yet, the poll situation in Lathipada is peaceful.
Lathipada Panchayat is comprised of 27 small and big villages. The population is 6500 while the number of voters is 4559. Out of them the number of women voters is 2138 and male voters is 2421. There are 12 wards in total in this Panchayat. However, candidates in 9 wards have been elected uncontested while the rest three posts are reserved. However, since there are no candidates for these 3 wards, polling will not be held.
Lathipada Panchayat has remained in discussion in the previous polls. Earlier, tussles had been witnessed from different reasons here. Political parties were fighting with each other to grab power. However, amid such situation, the basic problems of the Panchayat remained unaddressed. May it be road communication or water issues, the problem could not be solved due to political rivalry. Even today, some of the villages in this Panchayat do not have electricity or mobile network facility.
Hence, this time a few top leaders of this area, workers of different parties and the villagers sat in a meeting and vowed to make the Panchayat an ideal one. They unanimously opted for selection in place of election. The right candidate will be chosen who will really work for the development of the Panchayat.
And thus finally they could set an example for the whole state. After this decision there was no political rivalry and no tussle for power. Even, candidates do not need to flow money to win the hearts of voters. The people here have tried to keep violence away. And hence this Panchayat set an example.
Kalinga AI