Jajpur: Chairman of Dharmasala block in Odisha’s Jajpur district, Pravat Balabantaray, on Wednesday resigned from his post, citing personal reasons.
He is the brother of former BJD MLA Pranab Balabantaray.
His resignation has come just two days before the scheduled voting on a no-confidence motion against him. More than 38 samiti members and sarpanchs had moved the motion against him on August 11.
In a video message, Pravat thanked people who elected him as Dharmasala block chairman twice since 2017. He said that he took the decision to ensure the safety of panchayat representatives. “There has been a rise in crime and no development work has been taken up in the block since the new BJP government took charge in the state. I don’t wish to put the lives of the PRI member at risk by holding onto the post. I will continue to serve the people of the 47 panchayats,” he added.
This development is being attributed to the ongoing political tussle between Dharmasala MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahu and the former legislator. It is also being viewed as a challenge to senior BJD leader from Jajpur, Pranab Prakash Das.
Last year, some youths hurled eggs at the vehicle of the former Dharmasala MLA at Kurikana village within Dharmsala Assembly constituency in the district when he was on way to visit various Laxmi Puja pandals. He later alleged that supporters of Sahoo may have been involved in the incident.
Balabantaray, son of late minister and Rajya Sabha MP Kalpataru Das, lost his seat to independent candidate Sahoo in the 2024 Assembly elections. He was elected to the Assembly from Dharmasala seat on BJD tickets in 2014 and 2019.
