Agitating lawyers disrupted filing of nominations for Birmitrapur Municipality polls over the High Court bench issue here on Tuesday. They were joined by Samata Kranti Party president and Birmitrapur MLA George Tirkey who said his party has decided to refrain from the civic body polls over the demand.
Lawyers under the aegis of Sundargarh Bar Association and Rajgangpur Bar Association closed down Government offices and courts in their respective areas.
On the other hand, lawyers of Rourkela Bar Association - the largest body of lawyers in the district - did not take part in the agitation.
In the evening, Rourkela Bar Association president Ramesh Bal convened an all-party meeting where Rourkela Congress president Nihar Ray and BJP president Dhiren Senapati announced to stay away from the election.
The BJD and two Left parties sought one day’s time. Rourkela unit BJD president AC Mohanty said his party would announce its decision on Wednesday.
Lawyers picketed in front of Birmitrapur Municipality office. George said his party has decided to refrain from the civic body polls over the demand.
Election officer for Birmitrapur Municipality SB Mishra said no nomination paper was filed on the first day. He said if the situation continues like this till end of the nomination date, then a report would be submitted to the State Election Commissioner.
Sundargarh Bar Association president Binay Toppo said all State Government offices along with courts in the district headquarters town were closed. He added that all political parties supported the demand, but did not directly participate in the stir.
Toppo claimed that Sundargarh units of Congress and BJD have communicated about their decision to boycott the ULB polls while the BJP would take a decision later.
No decision
■ At an all-party meeting, Rourkela Congress president Nihar Ray and BJP president Dhiren Senapati announced to stay away from the poll
■ No nomination paper was filed on the first day. If the situation continues like this till end of the nomination date, a report would be submitted to the State Election Commissioner