BHUBANESWAR: At a time when the alleged rape of a girl in Pipili area of Puri district has occupied media limelight, another alleged victim has created ripples in political circles by contesting the panchayat polls.
Sujata Jal, who was allegedly gang-raped by then Paikmal block chairman Mahesh Agarwal and his associates on May 10, 2008, is in the fray for a zilla parishad member seat from Rajboodasambar seat III from Padampur subdivision of Bargarh district, 400 km from the state capital. Bargarh district has 34 ZP member seats. Rajboodasambar is called Bargarh ZP Zone 31.
Agarwal and five of his aides allegedly raped Sujata after Agarwal promised her the job of an anganwadi worker. One of the accused includes Kunal Bariha, the nephew of former minister and Padampur MLA Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha of the BJD. The incident had created a huge political storm and all the accused were remanded in judicial custody.
"I drew inspiration from BSP chief and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati. I am thankful to the party for giving me a ticket," Jal said, adding that if she wins she will fight for justice and dignity for the downtrodden.
Pitted against the might of Sumitra Singh Seth of BJD, Saraswati Kalu (BJP), Manorama Gingra (Congress) and independent Panchami Suna, Jal hopes she will clinch the seat. "I have been receiving overwhelming response from people. They are fed up with the trio of BJP, BJD and Congress," she said. The area has been traditionally a BJD stronghold.
The constituency, reserved for women, goes to poll on February 11, the first date of polling for the three-tier panchayat elections in the state.
BSP spokesperson Sunil Agarwal said Sujata's entering the poll fray in itself has been a befitting reply on the perpetrators of the crime on her. "She will definitely win if people's response is any indication," Agarwal said.
Politicians of other parties are nervous. "The alleged crime on her definitely draws people's sympathy on her. But it is too early to predict where the votes will swing," said a former MLA in Bargarh district.
