Odisha Panchayat Polls: Battle Between Young Turks & Old Guards On Cards In Rayagada

Rayagada: The panchayat elections this time will see an interesting battle between young blood and veterans in politics in tribal-dominated Rayagada district.

Call it lure of power or drive for social service, many young boys and girls have jumped into fray to try their luck. One of them is 25-year-old tribal girl Tuni Huika. She is contesting for the panchayat samiti member post of Kampmaligaon panchayat in Rayagda block.

Though selected for a job in a private bank, Tuni did not join the service in an urban area and preferred to work for the betterment of her area as a people’s representative. She is the youngest candidate for the post which is reserved for Scheduled Tribe women.

Rabi Shankar Gamang is another young candidate wo has filed his nomination for panchayat samiti member post in Ukumba panchayat of Ramanaguda block. After doing post-graduation in Political Science from Utkal University in Bhubaneswar, Rabi had joined as sub-inspector in Odisha Police in 2010.

He was promoted to inspector rank in 2017, but resigned from the job in 2018 and has now entered the politics from grassroots level. Having the ambition of leading the tribal community to development in all fields, he is confident of his victory in the hustings due to the support and popularity he has garnered in a few days.

On the other hand, there are veterans like Pedenti Ramulu who has filed nomination for sarpanch post of Chandili panchayat in Rayagada block. An old guard, Ramulu has been in the politics since 1992.

A follower of former minister Lalbihari Himirika, Ramulu was elected as zilla parishad member from zone III of Rayagada block in 1992, Chandili sarpanch in 2012 and panchayat samiti member of Chandili in 2017.

Ramulu, who has held the block chairman post, does not consider it belittling to fight for sarpanch post. Rather, he says it will bring him closer to the people and help him serve them better.

Known for his simple lifestyle and honest attitude, the politician of 30 years is undeterred by the entry of young blood in the arena. Rather he is confident that his experience in politics will endear him to the electorate and make him elected as sarpanch in the panchayat polls.

Interestingly, five candidates are contesting for the sarpanch post and all of them have the surname of Pedenti.