Going for Panchayat elections is going to be very tough for the ruling BJP
Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission has issued the notification for the two-stage Panchayat elections in the state. Political activities in the state have picked up as candidates start their efforts to gain favour from local party bigwigs and get tickets.
Given that it will be a two-phase election, both candidates and hopeful candidates have already started to make their presence visible. The government departments have also started to make preparations for the forthcoming Panchayat elections.
The elections have not taken place for almost two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All activities related to the Ward Members have been hanging in an anvil.
Elections to elect 513 Sarpanchs and 7765 Panchs
According to the District Election Branch, elections will be held to elect 513 Sarpanchs and 7765 Panchs across the district of Jabalpur. The elections for Sarpanchs and Panchs for Jabalpur will be conducted in two phases for seven Blocks of Jabalpur.
The first phase of the Panchayat election will be held on January 6. The second phase of the elections will be on January 28. The election timing will be 7 AM to 3 PM.
With the notification of Panchayat elections by the State Election Commission, the moral code of conduct will be enforced by the Commission. No new projects will be declared by the existing government. Of the 516 Gram Panchayats, elections will be held in only 513 Gram Panchayats and 3 blocks namely Bilkharwa, Kudan and Bilha have their tenure till 2022. The elections to these three blocks will be held after March 2022.
There are 7,74,300 voters in Jabalpur District. More than 453 polling booths will be set up for the smooth conclusion of the elections. The first phase of the elections will held in Sehora, Kundam, Panagar, Bargi and the second phase will be held in Majholi, Patan and Shahpura.
Spiralling prices, low procurement of paddy is going to haunt the ruling party
The Panchayat elections in Jabalpur district have largely been fought on local issues. The BJP which always had a strong presence in the Mahakaushal belt is having a tough time.
Spiraling prices, petrol price, poor procurement of paddy and other issues are going to make the return of power of the BJP even more difficult. The Coronavirus pandemic has further augmented the agony of the ruling party with no developmental work in the last two years.
The Congress party is in resurgence and it is possible that the BJP could face one of its worst routs in the Panchayat polls this time.
