Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Kendrapara, Jan 26:

Kendrapara BJD MLA Kishore Tarai after facing flak for conniving with Pattamundai BDO for getting his wife Babita Tarai remain as the lone candidate for Samiti Sabhya from Penthapala panchayat by allegedly managing to withdraw nominations of two other candidates by fraudulent means today announced that his wife would resign after the announcement of results and face fresh elections.

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“The Congress party has pointed fingers at my wife. In the event of my wife getting elected uncontested, I will ask her to resign and face fresh election,” announced Tarai.

It may be recalled here that two female Samiti Sabhya candidates-Pramila Mallick and Gayatri Sethy had lodged written complaints against Tarai and Pattamundai BDO for getting their nominations withdrawn fraudulently.

The two had alleged in their complaints that the MLA with the help of the BDO had fraudulently managed to withdraw their nominations without their knowledge.

Congress party spokesperson Ganeswar Behera along with the two complainants met the SEC on Tuesday and lodged a complaint with the Commission on this account

Tarai’s wife Babita along with Gayatri Sethy, Pramila Mallick and Nirupama Mallick had filed nominations as Samiti Sabhya candidates from Penthapala panchayat.

Pattamundai BDO on Saturday-the last day for withdrawal of nominations announced that since three other candidates have withdrawn their nominations, Babita Tarai has been elected as Samiti Sabhya unopposed from Penthapala panchayat. The development had led to tension in the area.

Following the development, the State Election Commission (SEC) had sought reports from the Collector and concerned poll observer on the matter.

On getting the reports, the SEC on Wednesday directed the Panchayati Raj Department to transfer Pattamundai BDO Prashant Rout immediately and hand over the charge to Tehsildar.