Utkal Association election row: Patron S.K. Behera resigns, raises concerns over voting rights for new members
PINAKI MAJUMDAR Jamshedpur, August 3: Veteran industrialist and Utkal Association patron S.K. Behera resigned from his post on Monday, citing concerns over…
PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, August 3: Veteran industrialist and Utkal Association patron S.K. Behera resigned from his post on Monday, citing concerns over the controversy surrounding the Association’s election scheduled for August 9 and asserting that transparency and institutional integrity must take precedence over personal positions.
Announcing his decision, Behera said he had chosen to step down after more than five decades of an unblemished public life to uphold the dignity of the organisation and remain true to his principles.
Questions raised over voting rights for new members
Clarifying his stand, Behera said his objection was not to the enrolment of new members but to the decision to grant immediate voting rights to 109 newly inducted members without the approval of the Association’s executive committee.
He said such a move could cast doubts over the fairness and transparency of the election process.
According to Behera, he had suggested either postponing the election by three months to allow scrutiny of the new memberships or permitting the new members to vote only after completing two years in the Association.
He maintained that transparent, rule-based and impartial elections were essential to preserving the credibility of the institution.
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Emotional appeal amid deepening dispute
Responding to questions from journalists, an emotional Behera likened his situation to that of elderly parents being abandoned by their children.
“It feels the same way when children send their parents to an old-age home. Today, I feel a similar sense of neglect and hurt within the organisation I have served,” he said.
He added that conflict and internal discord were harmful to any social organisation and expressed disappointment over the manner in which the dispute had unfolded.
Election dispute reaches legal forum
The controversy has also taken a legal turn.
Behera said the local Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) had raised objections regarding the membership process and referred the matter to the Inspector General of Registration for examination.
He also pointed out that a section of Association members has approached the Jharkhand High Court, seeking directions to ensure a free, fair and transparent election.
Open to reconsidering resignation
Despite resigning, Behera indicated that he would reconsider his decision if both factions resolved their differences amicably and restored harmony within the Association.
Calls for better infrastructure, highlights healthcare initiative
During the interaction, Behera also spoke about public infrastructure and future social initiatives.
He urged the Jharkhand government to improve roads and civic infrastructure in the Adityapur Industrial Area, saying better facilities were essential for industrial growth and workers’ welfare.
At the same time, he appreciated Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s efforts to promote industrial investment in Jharkhand.
Behera also shared details of the upcoming Padmavati Devi Multi-Speciality Hospital, describing it as a major social initiative that aims to provide affordable, state-of-the-art healthcare services to people across the Kolhan region and neighbouring areas.
