Odisha MLA candidate faces protest over ‘PC’ during campaigning

Priya Ranjan Swain Published On : May 29, 2024 at 9:52 PM

Bhubaneswar: An MLA in Odisha faced protest from villagers for not returning the PC (percentage commission), which he had earlier taken for awarding a Kutcha road project to a contractor.

The residents of Jirtal village under Kasaba Jaypur panchayat reportedly gheraoed Nilgiri MLA Sukanta Kumar Nayak, who is now seeking re-election from the same seat on a BJD ticket, while he was campaigning in the locality today.

Odisha: Collectors of 13 dists told to review preparedness for rain, flood-like situation

Odisha: Lower Suktel chief construction engineer held in DA case

A video of the incident went viral on social media.

Nayak had been elected to the Odisha Assembly from Nilgiri seat in Balasore on a BJD ticket in 2014. He won the polls from the same seat on a BJP ticket in 2019.

The two-time legislator left the BJP and rejoined the BJD ahead of the 2024 Assembly polls in Odisha.

According to the villagers, Nayak had taken Rs 50,000 as PC from one Santosh Rout of Jirtal to award him a Kutcha road project worth Rs 10 lakh.

However, the legislator could not award the road project to Rout and returned Rs 15,000. But, the legislator is yet to return the balance money, alleged the villagers.

After facing protest from the villagers, the MLA has reportedly promised to return the money by June 1.