Odisha: Parties renew strategies with an eye on panchayat polls

BHUBANESWAR: With general improvement in the Covid situation, all three major political parties in the state — BJD, BJP and Congress — have renewed their political activities keeping an eye on the forthcoming panchayat polls.
While BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik began his district-wise review meetings with party leaders, the opposition parties have also undertaken political activities to energise their cadres.
BJD sources said Naveen, during his meeting with party leaders, has asked them to be geared up for the panchayat polls, to carry out party’s organizational work in districts and to fulfil the promises made to the people.
“Our party is always prepared for every election, including the panchayat election. The election will be held as per law. We are confident of doing well because of our pro-people work and good governance,” said planning and convergence minister Padmanabha Behera.
The principal opposition party in the state, BJP, which has been mostly in hibernation since the 2019 general elections, has suddenly become vocal against the BJD government on issues pertaining to common people and farmers.
The BJP has launched three state-wide agitation prograammes against the government in the past 15 days over issues like mismanagement in mandis, irregularities in implementation of rural housing scheme and steep hike in power tariff.
The Congress has also started hitting the road over issues like skyrocketing prices of essential goods and increase in fuel prices. Congress working president Pradeep Majhi said the party would go to people against the Centre and the state government over several issues.
Even as the state election commission (SEC) apprehends that the panchayat polls could get delayed because of non-finalization of ward delimitation and seat reservation, official sources said the government may start the exercises soon.