Bhubaneswar: Odisha BJP delegation led by MLA Lalitendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra on Wednesday met Governor Ganeshi Lal demanding reservation for backward classes in the forthcoming panchayat elections.
The constitution of India mandates advancement and adequate representation of the SC. ST and OBCs. Adequate representation of OBC’s in local self-government is one of the objective, intent, and purpose of the very idea of decentralisation of power and taking governance to the grass root level.
The move of the Government of Odisha to proceed with the Panchayat Elections without reservation to OBCs is strictly contrary to the object. intent and purpose of the constitutional scheme of advancement and adequate representation of OBCs.
lt is quiet unfortunate. that Government of Odisha is actively’ pursuing to conduct the Panchayat El.oions ithout reservations to OBCs, such an election would deprive the persons belonging to OBC community for five long years sshich by no stretch of logic tmn be said to be a short period causing gave prerejudices to thc backward classes.
We the elected represcntatives of Odisha, therefor request you to kindly intervene and take up the issue ,ith thc State Election Commission in order to ensure Ponchayat Elections are held by ensuring reservations to OBCs thmugh constitutional mechanism. This shall go long way to ensure justice to the causes of other back, ard communities in Odisha.
