Bhubaneswar: Andhra’s conspiracy to sabotage panchayat polls in Kotia group of villages has fallen flat.
As per preliminary reports, in the second phase of three-tier panchayat polls in the State today, 76.3 per cent of eligible voters exercised their franchise in Kotia group of villages in Koraput district.
According to reports, over 5,000 voters of Kotia panchayat cast their votes at 13 polling booths.
Polling which started at 7 AM and continued till 1 PM was largely peaceful and smooth without any reports of untoward incidents.
Apprehending trouble from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, from the law and order perspective the State administration had sealed the border with Andhra Pradesh.
Two platoons of policemen were deployed to maintain law and order.
Pottangi MLA Pitam Padhi has said that Andhra’s conspiracy has failed. Polling was successful for the efforts of the State government and the local administration.
Kotia, which had witnessed incidents of ‘infiltration’ by Andhra Pradesh officials in the recent past, continues to remain a sensitive bordering gram panchayat of the State.
The three main political parties – BJD, BJP, and Congress – had unanimously fielded Mamta Jani as an all-party candidate for the Zilla Parishad Zone Member post. However, one Tikai Gemel has contested as an independent candidate against Jani.
Similarly, seven candidates are contesting for the post of sarpanch and 14 candidates are contesting for 13 Ward Member posts. While candidates have been elected uncontested in 12 Wards, two candidates are contesting in Ward No 10.
