DHENKANAL: With charges flying thick and fast, Women and Child Development Minister Anjali Behera is having a tough time projecting her party candidates in Hindol constituency. The Opposition is alleging her involvement in the accidental death of Nabaghan Sahoo, the then chairman of Hindol panchayat samiti and the non-functioning of block panchayati samiti for the last four years.The political rivalry between Behera and Sahoo allegedly saw no samiti meetings being held which did not allow the people a platform to air their grievances regarding various Government schemes and projects under Palli Sabha. The officials too admitted that development took a back seat in those four years. The BJP recently staged a demonstration here and burnt effigies of Behera in front of the collectorate. They urged the Government to initiate action against her for alleged involvement in the murder of Sahoo. BJP district president Krushna Chandra Patra and the party unit legal cell chief Nabakishore Guru said Sahoo’s letter had proved beyond doubt the enmity between them in the High Court. Th ey demanded resignation of the Minister.After the demonstration at Dhenkanal, the BJP workers led by MP Rudra Narayan Pany also burnt effigies of the Minister in front of the office of Hindol sub-collector demanding her resignation. The Congress also had been vocal in its criticism with district president N C N Das demanding an inquiry into the irregularities in the development works, including the Public Distribution System (PDS), IAY, MGNREGS, ICDS and anti-poverty schemes during Behera’s tenure. There have been reports of rampant corruption in the PDS with as many as 12 dealers being suspended last year. The BJD leaders and workers are, however, confident of victory. Behera could not be contacted despite several attempts.
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