The state has been going through a series of political developments and a number of elections over the past few weeks and this is expected to continue till the Lok Sabha elections. Every political party is trying to extract the maximum out of it and every politician, big or small, is trying to enhance his clout among the voters.

To begin with, the state is going through elections to cooperative bodies that will continue till next month. Though these elections are low-key affairs and hardly make any news at the regional or the local level, yet politicians of the two major parties — the BJP and the Congress — are making claims and counter-claims, allegations and counter-allegations.

Besides, it is also time for the students’ union elections in various colleges and universities in the state. And even here, it is the student wings of the two main parties — the ABVP and the NSUI — that have locked horns. With their potential cadres in the fray, senior leaders cannot afford to ignore these polls.

Above all, the state is readying itself for the all-important panchayat polls in 12 districts, scheduled to be held in September. The polls are of great significance, as from now on women will dominate governance at the panchayat level. “This time women will definitely have more than 60 per cent representation in panchayats across the state. With 50 per cent seats already reserved, many women are also filing their nominations for seats reserved for the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes. Then there are some who have won two terms on an open seat and are filing their nominations for the third successive time,” said social activist Avdesh Kaushal.

... contd.