Political activities gear up as CMC poll dates announced

Political activities gained momentum here moments after the State Election Commission (SEC) announced the poll schedules for formation of next council of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC).
Leaders of three major political parties - BJD, Congress and BJP - claimed that they have completed all groundwork and are set for the February 6 elections.
While the five year term of the current CMC council is ending on February 12, the SEC has paved way for the formation of the next council before that by fixing February 7 for counting of votes and declaration of election results. The elections of Mayor and Deputy Mayor are scheduled on February 13 and March 1 respectively.

In the current 54-member Corporation, the BJD had formed the council winning in 37 wards during the 2009 polls. This time, however, the number of wards in the Corporation has increased to 59.
"We have already zeroed-in on selection of candidates for the next month's poll and have chalked out strategies to form the next council," said senior BJD leader and Cuttack-Barbati segment legislator Debashis Samantray. He said the party this time has decided to field educated candidates having clean public image.
Opposition Congress party in the city-which had won only eight wards last time, too claims that they are well prepared for the elections and have completed all preparations in selecting candidates in every ward. "We are determined to form CMC council for the first time this year and we will provide a corruption-free and progressive civic body," said city Congress president Muhammed Moqim.

The BJP is also equally hopeful of forming the council alone this time.
"We have the expertise and experience and are ready to form the council this time alone in the city," said senior party leader and former minister Samir Dey.