Bhubaneswar, jan 2: A Congress team led by PCC treasurer Mohammed Moqim on Saturday met State Election Commission (SEC) and demanded immediate election to fill up the post of Mayor in Cuttack Municipal corporation (CMC), which has fallen vacant after the resignation of Anita Behera.
“The constitutional post should not remain vacant for long. The mayor’s post is reserved for a woman belonging to SC category. There are three corporators under such category. So, the election should be conducted with immediate effect,” Moqim said.
The Congress party alleged that a conflict between Cuttack-Choudwar MLA Prabhat Biswal and Cuttack-Barabati MLA Debasis Samantray was delaying the poll. “The Election Commission should intervene into the matter as soon as possible,” Moqim added.
Reacting to the Congress allegation, Biswal asked the grand old party not to worry about the election. “The council meeting is yet to be conducted. The resignation letter of the former Mayor has not been accepted till now. Why is the Congress party so worried about it?” Biswal asked.
Refuting talk of rift with Debasis Samantray, Biswal said- “Neither I have any differences with Debasis Samantray nor would any differences crop up in future. My relationship with him is very cordial,” the Cuttack-Choudwar MLA asserted.
