Cyclone Fani: Patnaik urges EC to withdraw MCC from coastal

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tuesday urged the Election Commission to withdraw the model code of conduct from all the coastal districts of the state and postpone polling in Patkura Assembly seat in view of the severe cylonic storm Fani heading towards the east coast.

The IMD in a bulletin has said that Fani is very likely to cross Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, to the south of Puri around May 3 afternoon with maximum sustained wind of speed 175-185 kmph and gusting to 205 kmph.

Patnaik who rushed to the national capital a day after completion of the four phase elections in the state, met the Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and other members of the Election Commission.

"The ECI team has told me to consider the proposals given by me," Patnaik said.

Stating that the Odisha's disaster management strategy is completely based on community involvement, Patnaik said evacuation, disaster preparedness, relief and restoration are all community based.

"...At this point of time to have a politically supercharged atmosphere will cause serious dislocation in the preparedness," the chief minister said in his letter to the CEC.

Patnaik further said: "It is strongly suggested to postpone the poll to Patkura to a later date so that communities can work together in harmony and administration can focus saving precious lives and valuable property."
Patnaik said "The projected cyclone path is crossing Kendrapara district and land fall is expected to be in Rajnagar block in Kendrapara district."
Mohapatra, who is a known bete noire of Patnaik in Odisha politics, said: "Patnaik is not afraid of cyclone, but Bijay. It is part of his conspiracy not to hold elections in Patkura. Patnaik wants to avoid polls in Patkura as he knows that BJD will face defeat."