With a day left for 30th of January for the recognised union election, the city witnessed real hectic campaign activities. And, the whole affair reached the crescendo yesterday as the campaign came to an end. Massive rallies, roadside and public meetings all marked as the parting images on the final day.

All the major players, among the total eight in the fray, like BMS, CITU, RMS, RSS and the joint forum all had their own ways to make their presence felt in public for the last time before poll. The Rourkela Iapat Karakhana Karmachari Sangh (RIKKS) affiliated to BMS, which is the current recognised union, held a cycle rally and public meeting.

General secretary of RIKKS Himansu Bal said, “we are confident that the workers have faith in us as we have stood by them.” He felt that there was no alternative to RIKKS. Similar confidence was echoed by Rourkela Shramik Sangh (RSS) affiliated to AITUC. In fact, RSS had enjoyed uninterrupted victory by upstaging Rourkela Shramik Sangh affiliated to HMS.

It went on to win five such elections, when it was being led by late MDN Panicker. However, it lost to BMS in the last election. “We are confident that we will win this time BMS failed to address workers’ issues,” said their press secretary Nihar Samal. This time the RSS, which was divided into two groups, is fighting unitedly. “With Madam (referring to late Panicker’s wife) with us we are capable to defeating any force,” said Samal.

Meanwhile, CITU also held a massive rally. “The workers are losing huge monetary benefits and this is due to a very ineffective union,” said national vice president of CITU Bishnu Mohanty. Mohanty was confident that this time was the time of CITU, which had come second on one occasion.

The oldest of all the unions here to have tasted success on many occasions RMS, affiliated to HMS alsoorganised a meeting. “People have seen all, the left the right and others and now they will repose faith in us,” said president Rajendra Singh. This time BJD has come in full force to support RMS.

The rally was flagged off by Sarada Nayak, RDA Chairman and Subrat Tarai, MLA Raghunathpalli. “Situation seems to in RMS favour because of its old credibility,” said Nayak. Meanwhile, the election has brought out the sharp differences between Dilip Ray and central minister Juel Oram. Ray’s support for RSS is part of folk lore here and Oram is openly siding with BMS.