A Sarpanch candidate of Paruabhadi gram panchayat in Kuchinda block of the district and one of his supporters died after their motorcycle hit a roadside tree at Patrapali village under Kuchinda police limits late on Tuesday.
The deceased Sarpanch aspirant has been identified as Mani Pradhan (35) and his supporter Sudhir Patel (40), both from Paruabhadi.
The incident occurred while the duo was returning to their village after having dinner at a ‘dhaba’ near Patrapali.
Though they were rushed to Kuchinda Sub-Divisional Hospital by the locals, doctors declared them brought dead.
The election, scheduled to be held in the gram panchayat on February 21, has been countermanded following the death of the Sarpanch candidate. The election for the posts of Zilla Parishad member, Panchayat Samiti member and ward members, however, will be held as per schedule.
Kuchinda Sub-Collector Chanchal Rana said they will inform the State Election Commission about the death of the candidate and the Commission will announce the new schedule of the election.
