A significant internal conflict within the ruling party in Khowai has thrown the selection of Panchayat leaders into disarray, leading to the postponement of the oath-taking ceremony for newly elected members at West Ganki Panchayat.
The dispute, which has been brewing between two factions of the party, escalated over the selection of the Pradhan and Upa-Pradhan positions. This discord has caused turmoil across several Panchayats in the Khowai Block, resulting in delays and cancellations of the oath-taking process.
On Tuesday, elected members from various Panchayats were scheduled to take their oaths. However, the process was marred by intense disagreements, particularly at Paharmura, West Sonatala, and West Ganki Panchayats, where rival groups within the party clashed over leadership choices.
The situation reached a boiling point at West Ganki Panchayat, where the ceremony was set to take place at noon at the Kanchanmala Community Hall. As soon as Pranab Basu’s name was proposed for the position of Pradhan, the opposing faction erupted in protest. What began as verbal opposition quickly escalated into a heated confrontation, with members of the opposing faction storming the stage, leading to a chaotic exchange of accusations and slogans in front of government officials.
The faction opposing Basu’s candidacy accused him of corruption, claiming that during his previous tenure as a Panchayat member, he had misused government resources intended for the public. They alleged that Basu had improperly acquired stalls at the Kohinoor Shopping Complex and had financially benefited by renting out his vehicle to government offices. Further allegations of bribery and misconduct in the election process added fuel to the fire.
Despite the efforts of local leaders, including Mandal President Subrata Majumder and outgoing Panchayat Samiti vice-chairman Tapas Kanti Das, to mediate the situation, the conflict remained unresolved. The opposition group was adamant in their refusal to accept Basu as Pradhan.
As tensions escalated, the Block Development Officer (BDO) intervened, attempting to calm the situation and find a resolution. However, a comment made by Tapas Kanti Das only served to further inflame the crowd, who demanded evidence to support his claims or a public apology.
With the situation deteriorating and the scheduled time for the ceremony running out, the BDO announced that the oath-taking process would be postponed. The ceremony, originally planned for Tuesday, was rescheduled for the following Thursday. However, the opposing faction warned that they would not allow the ceremony to proceed if Basu remained the nominee for Pradhan.
This incident has highlighted deep-seated divisions within the ruling party in Khowai, casting a shadow over the leadership selection process and raising concerns about the future of governance in the region. As the rescheduled ceremony approaches, it remains to be seen whether the party can bridge these divides and move forward with the Panchayat administration.
