Nuapada: Residents of the newly-formed Khairani panchayat in this district showed unusual unity and elected candidates uncontested for the three-tier panchayat elections.
Residents in this panchayat have so much unity among them that they did not want to strain their relationship for the sake of elections despite the fact that the region is plagued by a host of problems.
Come what may we will not strain out ties, said a villager. The panchayat selected all the candidates for the posts of 11 ward members as well as sarpanch and samiti members on consensus.
Single candidates filed nominations for all 11-ward members, sarpanch and samiti members, who were eventually declared elected. Their elections on consensus have created a history.
Sources said the Khairani panchayat was earlier a part of Saipala panchayat since Nuapada was carved out as a separate district March 27, 1993.
However, during the recent delimitation exercise, Khairani was carved out as a separate panchayat. The state election commission announced elections but people decided they will not put up multiple candidates for each post.
They decided that they would only put up a single candidate for each of the posts, who will file their nominations and get elected uncontested.
Village youths led by Jayshibani Yubak Sangha and self-help group women came forward and help spread the message of electing candidates uncontested among residents and achieved their desired goal.
Padmabati Rana was elected for ward no-1, Ghasi Rana for ward no-2, Srimati Majhi ward no-3, Tanka Sabar ward no-4, Lakhibai Majhi ward no-5, Sanjukta Rana ward no-6, Ranjita Majhi ward no-7, Jaga Majhi ward no-8, Malati Majhi ward no-9, Khiradhar Dharua ward no-10 and Padma Majhi ward no-11. Similarly Sushila Majhi was elected as sarpanch and Laibani Majhi as samiti member.
When contacted, Vivekananda Mohananda, the district election officer, said this panchayat has created history in the whole district by electing all its candidates on consensus. He said this shows the unity among residents.
Notably, the newly-formed panchayat is plagued by a host of problems and the residents have now pinned all their hope on the newly-elected candidates to bring in development in the area.
The panchayat does not have drinking water facilities and have a single primary school for study. Moreover, it does not have a health centre or a veterinary hospital for treatment of residents as well as their livestock. The residents have to travel through forest and cross over a hill to reach the revenue inspector’s office, former Samiti member Bholaram Majhi said.
Retired headmaster Balaram Majhi said politics has spoiled the atmosphere but has failed to make any impact in the panchayat.
Newly-elected sarpanch Sushila Majhi said she will strive hard to fulfill the aspirations of people who have reposed faith in her. PNN
