Odisha ULB Polls: Rayagada Cong Leader Accuses Party Of Denying Ticket After Striking Deal Of Rs 56 Lakh

Rayagada: Congress leader Mamata Majhi has accused the district leaders of the party of humiliating her by denying ticket to contest for chairperson post of Rayagada Municipality at the last moment after making a ‘deal’ of Rs 56 lakh.

Speaking to media persons, here on Thursday, Mamata said when the elections to urban local bodies (ULBs) were announced in the state, she was in Rajasthan. Congress district president Durga Prasad Panda and Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka called her up and offered the party ticket to contest for Rayagada Municipality chairperson post in the election.

“The two senior leaders told me that I have to spend around Rs 56 lakh in the election and asked to nominate some candidates for ward member posts. When I agreed to their offer, a deal was struck,” she said.

She also prepared all necessary documents and was ready to file the nomination papers. But, her name was struck off from the list of candidates for the municipal elections at the last moment without informing her.

[Watch] Odisha ULB Polls: Rayagada Cong Leader Accuses Party Of Denying Ticket After ‘Deal’ – YouTube

“I was not even informed by the two leaders that they were withdrawing my name as candidate for chairperson post. I came to know about it from media and other sources,” said Mamata, the wife of former MLA Purna Chandra Majhi.

Alleging that Panda had sought Rs 25 lakh from her for party expenses, Mamata said as she did not pay the amount, she was deprived of the party ticket. “This is a blatant betrayal of the party’s high claim for the cause of women empowerment and a humiliation to all the women,” she added.

She further said she will contest the election as an Independent candidate despite pressure from Congress leaders through her husband to withdraw her nomination. “Under no circumstances, I will withdraw from the contest. I will fight the elections and prove my worth to the Congress leaders,’ said Mamata, who is the daughter-in-law of former minister Antaram Majhi.