Bijepur: Bijepur, one of the most underdeveloped areas of the state, has become famous for its frequent elections. In last one and half years alone, the Assembly segment in Bargarh district is witnessing third election.
The first by-election was held in February 2018 following the death of former Congress MLA Subala Sahu. The seat went in for election during general elections in April 2019 and sent Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to the Assembly. However, as Patnaik resigned from the seat, the segment is going for another by-poll October 21.
Though only a week is left for the campaigning to end, the by-poll has not yet become a talking point in the area. People do not seem to be caring much for who will win or who will lose in the election, they are busy in their respective works.
“I am unable to know why election is being conducted here repeatedly. Is not this wastage of public money? I have not seen any kind of development here,” Hansabar Rout of Bandhabal village under Bijepur block said. Though villagers here are demanding a pucca road to Bandhabal, no one seems to be paying heed to this demand, he said.
Karuana Pradhan, a young farmer from the area, is also not too happy with repeated elections. “Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has contested from the seat. I cannot understand why he left the seat. Frequent elections do not help us. Here farmers have plenty of problems. When election comes, leaders come here to seek votes. Once elections are over, we do not find anyone,” Pradhan said.
A local political analyst said, the election mahol (atmosphere) is not being felt in this by-election. “Political leaders are there everywhere. But, people are silent. The atmosphere is dull compared to general election. Maybe people are not interested due to repeated elections,” he observed.
Political leaders and candidates of three major political parties—BJD, BJP and Congress are continuing their campaigning in various areas of the Assembly segment. BJD candidate Rita Sahu Saturday campaigned in several panchayats of Bijepur block while BJP nominee Sanat Gartia along with his supporters sought votes in Gaisilet block. Congress candidate Dillip Panda along with Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim and dissatisfied leader Ripunath Seth campaigned in Barapali block.
PNN
