Politicos fear Maoists sway may tilt scales

BALANGIR: With Maoist threat looming large over Balangir district, politicians here feel that the Maoists will have a considerable influence in the forthcoming three-tier panchayat election, slated for March.The growing Maoist menace, particularly in Patnagarh sub-division of the district has infused a sense of fear among the politicians.BJP leader and Patnagarh MLA K V Singhdeo had recently said that if the government did not take concrete steps to ensure security to the politicians, the menace will grow further. He asserted that if the menace continued, then Balangir district will be the second Malkangiri in future. Singhdeo had recently received two threat calls from the Maoists.Explaining how the Maoists will have influence on the panchayat poll, Singhdeo said Maoists mainly eye funds and food. “Since the distribution of food in remote areas rests with panchayats, the Maoists are likely to have stake in the poll through violent methods. They will try to control the electioneering process,” said Singhdeo. He further said that because of the threat perception, the party workers will be scared to venture into the villages, an advantage to the Maoists.A week ago, a BJD leader Raj Kishor Panda, who is the nominee of Balangir MP Kalikesh Singhdeo, was killed by Maoists in Telenpali village. The area comes under Patnagarh Assembly constituency.Balangir SP Awinash Kumar said since the Maoists operate in villages, their influence on the poll outcome cannot be ruled out. He, however, said the cops would try their best to win the confidence of the villagers. Former Law minister and senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra, however, said that the only way to check Maoist menace is to ensure development in the area. He said he did not foresee Maoists having any role in the forthcoming panchayat election.