A banner of a political party ahead of the civic polls in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack Jan. 21: Political parties, especially the BJD, are trying their best to persuade the rebels to withdraw from the poll fray.

As of now, it was found after scrutiny of nomination papers that 381 candidates are left in the fray for civic polls. A clear picture about the rebel factor is expected to emerge on Friday, which is the last day for withdrawal of nominations. Election officer Laxmidhar Mohanty said: “Of 381 candidates, 176 are Independents. The BJD, Congress and the BJP have fielded candidates at all the 59 wards.”

BJD sources said the party feared that dissidents set to take on official candidates in more than 10 wards were likely to give the party nominees a tough fight.

BJD councillor Kedar Prusty said: “If I was not given a ticket on grounds of suspected involvement in post-Phailin relief scam, how come sitting BJD councillor A. Ahalya Devi’s daughter-in-law A. Sridevi got a party ticket to contest from her ward? I will contest from ward No. 29. I will not change my decision if such inconsistency in decision on selection of candidates is allowed by our party leaders.”

BJD sitting councillor Bijay Kumar Khandei, whose wife is going to contest as an Independent candidate from ward No. 47 said: “I have decided to abide by the wishes of my supporters. I will not change my decision.”

“The party has started process to approach the sitting BJD councillors to withdraw nominations filed by them or their spouses to contest as Independent candidates. If they refuse to obey, disciplinary actions might be initiated against them,” BJD MLA from Choudwar-Cuttack Pravat Biswal told The Telegraph today.

BJP state general secretary Nayan Kishore Mohanty said: “We had differences in two wards, but it has been resolved. The two dissident candidates will withdraw their nominations.”

Cuttack City Congress Committee president Md Moquim said: “There are no rebel candidates in our party. The party is gearing up to give a united fight. Party workers’ meets are already being held on ward to ward basis.”

Congress councillor Pabitra Bhuyan’s wife Dipalibala Bhuyan has filed her papers as an Independent candidate from ward No. 35 as she was denied a ticket after her husband’s ward was reserved for women after delimitation.