JAGATSINGHPUR: The Congress might be taking its own time to decide the candidate for Tirtol assembly constituency but Himansu Mallick is in no mood to waste any. The MLA ticket aspirant has started making door-to-door visits in all 61 panchayats within the constituency to reach out to the constituents.
Titled ‘61 Panchayats for 61 Days’, Mallick’s innovative campaign focuses on engaging with all sections of society, particularly women and youth, across the constituency. Each day, accompanied by his supporters, he visits one panchayat, converses with locals over tea from 6 am to 9 am. He makes it a point to meet women in the panchayat and seek their support and blessings for the election.
In the afternoon, Mallick engages in ‘Hrudaya Katha’ (heart-to-heart), holding discussions with various groups including senior citizens, youth clubs and members of the civil society in the respective panchayats.
Mallick’s campaigning efforts have garnered admiration from locals, particularly women and youth, who have assured him of support in the election. Despite losing to his BJD rival in the last Assembly election in 2019, Mallick has strengthened his grassroots base, instilling confidence among the masses.
While Sandhyarani Swain, a woman voter of Gopalpur, appreciated Mallick’s dedication to Tirtol’s development, and spoke on his efforts in combating corruption within government programmes in the region, Congress leader from Tirtol Debprasad Nayak expressed optimism about Mallick’s prospects, citing the positive response from locals to his campaign activities across the constituency.
Along with Congress poll manifesto outlining various promises for the state’s development, Mallick also presents his own manifesto focusing on Tirtol’s advancement, if elected. He remains confident that people are looking for a change as he feels the BJD is mired misconduct and corruption.
On his plans for Tirtol’s development, Mallick said renovating Sarala Spinning Mill, implementing rainwater channelization through Hansua River, establishing cold storage facilities for farmers, offering free coaching for employment opportunities, providing special monthly allowances for housewives and undertaking other development activities within the constituency will be his priorities.