Malkangiri: Though the aspirants of various political parties have started their vigorous campaign ahead of the three-tier panchayat elections, none has touched the burning issue of Maoist menace which has plagued this tribal-dominated district for the last 30 years, a report said.
Development has been in jeopardy in several gram panchayats including Khairaput, Kudumulugumma, Kalimela, Padia, Korukonda and Malkangiri. Apart from the innocent tribals, the ultras have killed many security personnel to carry out their mission.
Though they have not pressed for any demands, the guerrillas have put the development works under hold in many regions, it was learnt.
The government as well as private staffers don’t feel it safe to work in the interior areas of the district. This has resulted in a rise in corruption in the region, the report said.
For instance, the people’s representatives of these panchayats continue to obtain contract license in the name of their relatives to raise their income.
Development works like road construction, healthcare, education and drinking water projects and Indira Awas Yojana are going on only on papers, the report said.
According to officials, elections would be held in 93 panchayats for the posts of zilla parishad members, panchayat samiti members, sarpanchs and ward members. There would be no elections in 18 panchayats of Chitrakonda block, it was learnt.
The candidates of all political parties are making their best efforts to attract voters by holding meetings and through posters, public address systems and banners.
From the ruling party, two MLAs, an MP and their district and block representatives are going full throttle to sway voters in their favour.
Some film stars have also been roped in to take the development programmes of the BJD government of last 20 years to the people.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also recently laid the foundation stones for projects worth Rs 1,100 crore and inaugurated many other projects.
The BJP leaders are banking on the alleged inefficiency of the state leaders. The district would see a lot of development if they are brought to power, claim the leaders of the saffron party.
On the other hand, former Congress MP Pradip Majhi has been organizing meetings in every nook and corner of the district to taste success in the upcoming polls.
But the candidates not saying a word on the issue of Maoist menace has not gone down well with the people, the report said. PNN
