Residents promised to boycott elections and politicians
Baripada: Frustrated with the persistent lack of essential amenities like motorable roads and access to clean drinking water, residents of Jadunathpur panchayat under Badasahi constituency decided to neither entertain vote-seeking politicians nor exercise their franchise Until their demands are met.
On February 13, 2024, villagers protested outside the collector’s office demanding immediate action to resolve their grievances. Despite submitting a memorandum to the Block Development Officer, MLA Sanatan Bijuli and the district administration, their plea went unheeded. Led by sarpanch Tuni Singh and panchayat samiti member Lakshmi Giri, residents of various tribal communities expressed their frustration over the government’s neglect.
“The absence of motorable roads has had serious consequences, including challenges in accessing health facilities, with ambulances unable to reach many villages. Besides, residents face perennial water crisis,” Singh lamented.
The panchayat has 14 wards and 3,500 voters among the population of 6,500. Frustrated with the lack of response from the authorities, residents have also vowed to boycott the 2024 elections if their demands are not addressed.
Despite an assurance by the BDO of an on-site investigation into the misbehavior of Additional District Magistrate Vibhuti Bhushan Nayak and a promise to take necessary steps, a month passed without any intervention. “Neither any official nor politician has visited the panchayat villages to address our basic issues,” Singh said. He further said, “We have decided that whenever political parties approach us for votes, we will not meet them until our grievances are resolved.”
