Cuttack, Feb. 4: Campaigning for the 59-ward municipal corporation here ended this evening with BJD chief Naveen Patnaik and Congress and BJP heavyweights hitting the streets to woo voters during the day.
The city witnessed a number of rallies by various parties and Independent candidates. The elections will be held on Thursday.
Tension prevailed at Sartol after a BJD candidate from ward No. 51 was allegedly attacked by a former councillor of the same party and his supporters.
A complaint has been lodged at Madhupatna police station. The incident has exposed infighting in the BJD over ticket distribution.
“I was holding a meeting with members of a local self-help group when nearly 40 youths, led by former councillor Kailash Bastia, attacked us,” said BJD candidate Mamta Behera.
She said the incident occurred around 11.25am when senior party leaders, including BJD MLA from Nabarangpur Manohar Randhari and Khandapada MLA Siddharth Sekhar Singh, were present on the spot.
“Kailash Bastia and the supporters of an Independent candidate, Nirupama Sethi, had earlier threatened us. Today, they attacked us,” said BJD observer Tejswar Parida.
Election officer and additional district magistrate Laxmidhar Mohanty said adequate steps were being taken to ensure peaceful polls on February 6.
“Preparations for the municipal polls have reached the final stages and adequate measures have been taken for maintaining law and order during polling and counting of votes on February 6 and 7, respectively,” said Mohanty.
He said that of the 422 booths, 253 have been identified as hyper-sensitive and 169 sensitive. Officials will monitor around 20 booths through webcasting.
People will be able to cast their votes between 8am and 5pm on Thursday. A voter needs to carry any one document out of 23 prescribed identity proofs that include voter identity card, driving licence and PAN card.
Most streets remained choked today with various political parties taking out large processions and rallies to catch the attention of the voters on the last day of the campaign.
Naveen today campaigned for the BJD in around 10 wards. He covered CDA sectors 10, 11, 8, 9, 6, Biju Patnaik Chhak, Sri Vihar, Shelter Chhak, Hindol Kothi, Fire station and other nearby localities.
Congress leaders, including Pradesh Congress Committee chief Jaydev Jena, Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra, and BJP leaders Biswabhusan Harichandan, Samir Dey and Jay Narayan Mishra today canvassed for their respective parties.
