​​​​​​​Bhubaneswar, April 12: The process for reserving seats in the 2027 Panchayat elections in Odisha has officially begun, with the Panchayati Raj Department instructing all district collectors to finalize the reservations across Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zilla Parishad levels by April 2026. This initiative is designed to streamline electoral planning and ensure a fair allocation of constituencies, including reservations for women, Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST).

However, the ongoing reservation exercise has sparked uncertainty among prospective candidates and grassroots leaders, raising questions about which seats will be reserved and who will benefit from the allocation. According to the official schedule, objections to the draft reservation lists for ward members, sarpanches, and samiti members can be raised until April 17. Hearings are scheduled to be completed by April 24, with the final lists to be published by April 29. For Zilla Parishad seats, objections will be accepted until April 17, hearings will wrap up by April 27, and the final lists will be released by April 30.

The reservation process has raised concerns among prospective candidates and local leaders, as the exact number of reserved seats remains uncertain. Objections to the draft lists can be submitted until April 17, with final lists to be released by April 29 for ward members and by April 30 for Zilla Parishad seats.

Political activity has ramped up across the state, with BJD, Congress, and BJP preparing for the elections. BJD has launched district-level programs, while Congress is focusing on strengthening its organizational structure. BJP's ‘Gaon Chalo’ campaign is emphasizing its government’s achievements.

With several Panchayat representatives switching allegiance to the ruling party since 2024, the political landscape is shifting, leading to an intense contest in the upcoming elections.

On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has commenced its ‘Gaon Chalo’ campaign from its foundation day on April 6 to bolster its grassroots presence. The BJP is focusing on emphasizing the achievements of the double-engine government.