Row over block chairperson-elect

SAINTALA (Balangir): The election of Monica Singh Bhoi, wife of Titlagarh Congress MLA Surendra Singh Bhoi, as Saintala block chairperson is mired in controversy. She retained the seat for the third time in a row. With the post reserved for ST (woman), the Balangir Zilla Adivasi Kalyan Sangha claimed that Monica is not a tribal. Monica refuted the allegation stating that the issue had led to a confrontation between the Sangha and Utkal Kandha Samaj Sikhapragana led by Surendra Singh Bhoi. Incidentally, Braja Kishore Singh Bhoi, the elder brother of Surendra, is the president of the Sangha which has decided to move court over the issue.  Police are keeping a close watch on the situation and prohibitory orders have been clamped in the area to avert any untoward incident. Tension gripped the block on Friday, ahead of polls to the post of block chairperson forcing the police to enforce ban orders and take out flag march. Claiming that Monica was not a tribal and had faked documents, the Sangha opposed her for the post. To counter the move, Surendra and Monica under the banner Utkal Kandha Samaj Sikhapragana had resorted to civil disobedience movement forcing the police to register cases against both Braja Kishore and Surendra and their respective supporters. Sources said more than a tribal issue, it is a family feud as Braja Kishore wanted to install one of his supporters to the post.