A vending zone at Biju Patnaik Chhak that was inaugurated last year in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Jan. 27: The BJD, with a vote share of 36 per cent, had won three of the four wards covering Tulasipur, Deula Sahi, Srivihar and nearby areas in 2009.

The Congress, with a vote share of 26.44 per cent in these areas, had won one ward. With a vote share of 14.83 per cent, the BJP had ended up in second place in one ward.

The delimitation exercise has altered the electoral matrix in these areas, which has around 22,800 voters. While two of the wards have been reserved for women, the other two have been left unreserved.

BJD councillor Bijay Pradhan claimed: “Major roads have been developed and all drainage channels have been renovated. Besides, a community centre is being built.”

Pradhan’s ward No. 4, which was reserved for scheduled caste members, is now ward No. 7 and reserved for backward class women. BJD has fielded Ranjita Biswal, a young journalist with an Odia daily to contest from the ward.

The BJP has a strong presence in the ward. Apart from the Congress, there are four Independent candidates in the fray, one of them backed by Ama Odisha and another, reportedly a dissident BJD candidate.

Residents feel that sanitation is still a major concern and roadside encroachment a nuisance in most localities. “The roads are bad and no beautification measures have been taken. The ward lacks a park,” said Ashok Pradhan.

Congress councillor Ajit Kumar Behera said: “A slum improvement project has been undertaken. The low-voltage problem in electricity supply has been resolved and water supply is better now. More than 300 beneficiaries have been enrolled under various welfare schemes.”

Ajit’s ward No. 5 is now ward No. 8 and has been reserved for women after delimitation. Apart from the Congress, the BJD and the BJP, three other candidates, including one from the Jan Morcha and two Independents, are contesting from the ward.

Residents said there was waterlogging problem in some localities and the development of the Chahata park had been slow. “There is problem of drinking water in the slum pockets as most tubewells are defunct,” said Kishore Das, a local resident.

BJD councillor Lilabati Behera said: “Work for renovation of the main storm water channel No. 1, which starts from the ward, has been taken up under the Japan International Cooperation Agency project. Nearly, 15km of roads in the ward have been developed and street lights installed.”

Lilabati’s ward No. 6 has been numbered as 9 and left unreserved after delimitation. The BJD has fielded her husband Bikash Ranjan Behera, who was the party’s councillor in 2003-08.

Though the ward has been a stronghold of the BJD with a 48.94 per cent vote share in 2009, the Srivihar Puja Committee, which has fielded Sarada Prasad Sarangi as Independent, is likely to make things difficult for the party candidate to retain the seat. The Congress has fielded a Christian candidate eyeing votes from the community. Apart from the BJP, the Jan Morcha is also contesting from the ward. Waterlogging continues to be a major problem in Stuartpatana, particularly the area in front of the collector’s bungalow.

BJD councillor Pallabi Bhagat said: “There has been an all-round improvement in sanitation. A vending zone has also been set up at Biju Patnaik Chhakh.”

Pallabi’s ward No. 13, which is now No. 16, is now unreserved. The BJD has fielded Ramzan Khan and party workers are apparently upset because he had switched over from the Congress recently.

The Congress, on the other hand, has chosen councillor Hemanta Behera to take on the BJD candidate. The Congress has fielded him from the ward as his seat ward No. 11 (now 14) has been reserved for women.

“I will try to live up to the expectations of my party which has re-imposed its confidence in me and also the people of my new ward,” Hemanta said.

In its manifesto, the BJP has promised to provide subsidised meals at Rs 7 at janata bhojanalayas run by the civic body in various parts of the city. The party will constitute ward committees and involve people in the decision-making process.

BJP state president K.V. Singhdeo, who released the manifesto, alleged that BJD-ruled municipal corporation did not come up with any new project and failed to complete those launched during the erstwhile BJP-led municipal council.