Panchayat Polls: Alleged COVID Norms Violation By BJD Leaders Shocks People In Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur

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Jagatsinghpur: Even as daily COVID cases in the state is nearing 10,000, alleged violation of protocols to prevent the spread of the virus by ruling BJD leaders while filing nomination papers for panchayat elections in the district has shocked the people.

As per reports, several candidates supported by BJD including contestant for sarpanch post Laxmipriya Behera, contestant for panchayat samiti member post Arabind Tarai and ward member post contenders carried out rallies while going to file nomination papers in Paradipgarh under Kujang block of the district on Wednesday.

The scene was like any election rally in normal circumstances and did not reflect any semblance of the prevailing COVID pandemic with hundreds of BJD supporters joining the rallies.

While most of the participants in the rally did not wear masks or maintain social distance, they were found carrying banners and placards and beating drums.

Ironically, no step was taken by the administration against the violators while the State Election Commission (SEC) and the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) had warned of stern actions against those who would violate the COVID guidelines issued by them.

As per the guidelines, rallies and gatherings are strictly prohibited and the candidate or one proposer can enter the election officer’s office and maintain proper social distancing while filing the nomination papers.

“Rallies during election campaigns have been restricted. But I am unaware of the norm violation in Paradipgarh and will inquire into the allegations,” TNIE quoted Kujang tehsildar Ritiparna Mishra as saying.

What has alarmed the local people is that the ruling party is violating the regulations of the election authorities instead of setting an example of following those at a time when COVID cases are rising by every day in the district.

While the state reported 9,833 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, including 972 in the 0-18 age group, there were 152 cases from the district where total number of patients has crossed 30,000 in the third wave of the pandemic.