Puri: Ending all speculation, Daitapati Niyog, the apex body of influential Daita servitors of Srimandir, Wednesday announced that an election would be conducted January 28 to choose its office bearers.
Daitapati Niyog permanent president Nabkishore Patimahapatra submitted a detailed schedule for the January 28 election to Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
As per the schedule, candidates can submit their nomination papers at a chamber near the South Gate of Srimandir within 10 am and 3 pm January 19. Candidates can withdraw their nomination by 2 pm January 20.
“The Daitapati Niyog would publish the final list of candidates at 4 pm January 20. Members of the Niyog would cast their votes to elect 15 office bearers between 9 am and 3 pm January 28. Counting of votes would start at 4 pm,” reads the schedule.
Patimahapatra claimed that all members of Daitapati Niyog had supported an election to choose office bearers at a meeting January 11. “The SJTA had also permitted us to conduct the election,” Patimahapatra said.
It is worth mentioning here that a section of Daita servitors have been opposing the election for the last several days. The group had convened a parallel meeting January 11 and claimed that majority of Daitapati Niyog members were against the election.
Meanwhile, senior Daita servitor Binayak Das Mahaptra opposed the January 28 election. “Many of our members are now outside the Holy City for their personal reasons. So, it is inappropriate to conduct the election. Moreover, there should be an impartial electoral officer to conduct the poll. A section of Daita servitors would boycott the election,” Das Mahapatra said.