Jajpur: The presence of several women leaders in the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has warmed up politics in the Bari Assembly constituency under Jajpur Lok Sabha seat.
This has become a cause of concern for incumbent MLA Debashis Nayak as some of them are staking claims for the party ticket in Bari.
Nayak’s concern is not unfounded as the Chief Minister has been playing the woman card urging 33 per cent reservation for them.
The infighting in the BJD, BJP and the Congress has become a hot topic here. Debashis won this seat by 7,173 votes against Independent Biswaranjan Mallick in 2014.
There are rumours that the BJD might think of another candidate in this Assembly seat as the political equation has completely changed here after 2014. There is a possibility that the BJD might play the woman card which is expected to change the political equation.
Bari has 1,11,074 male voters and 96,023 female voters and two other voters as per the 2019 voters’ list.
The election will be the fourth one in Bari after its reconstitution. The seat comprises 29 panchayats of Bari block, 10 panchayats of Rasulpur block and eight panchayats of Jajpur block.
Earlier, 18 panchayats of Derabish block in Kendrapara district were also part of this Assembly seat.
Floods are the major problem here as around 80,000 families face the calamity every year. Distress sale by farmers is common in this area as farmlands get damaged by floods. Agricultural issues are the core problems here.
The position of various parties has changed here during the last five years. The BJD suffered a blow after Biswaranjan Mallick, who contested as an Independent and came second in 2014, joined the BJP.
Mallick has been nominated as the BJP candidate after joining the party. The saffron party has also gained strength in the area by wresting control of 21 of the 29 panchayat samitis.
Observers said that neglecting farmers and agricultural issues and the failure to control floods are the reasons for the BJD losing ground.
The construction of the Brahmani-Birupa-Kelua River embankment is lying incomplete for years. This has resulted in loss of crops in 14,000 hectares in 29 panchayats, and has dealt a heavy blow to the 80,000 families dependent on agriculture.
The dependency on agriculture by a majority of the population has led to a strong farmers’ movement in the area. The movement is not aligned to any party, but commands the support of all parties.
There are reports that incumbent MLA Nayak has failed to carry forward his links with the public. He is not accessible to commoners and everything in the constituency is done by a leader close to him. This has led to dissension in the party and many leaders are opposing him.
Observers said that if the BJD supremo plays the woman card, then either former state Social Welfare Board Chairperson Sulata Deo or Sulochana Das, the party spokesperson who defected from the Congress, might be fielded.
The name of BJD state secretary Bijay Nayak also is in the picture as he has established himself as a prominent leader in the area by successfully discharging his obligations towards the party.
MLA Nayak refused to speak on the possibility of becoming a candidate.
Sulochana said that if given a chance she will definitely contest from this seat, but will abide by the decision of the party if not given a ticket.
Sulato Deo said Bari is her birthplace, and if given a chance she will contest, but will go by the party decision.
Bijay Nayak also spoke in the affirmative when asked about his candidature from this seat.
Manok Nayak is another candidate in the race for the BJD ticket. He entered student politics as a Chhatra Janata leader in 1990. He is supported by the old and new generation of party workers in Bari, dissidents, Dalits and leaders of other outfits.
Meanwhile, the election is not going to be easy for Biswaranjan Mallick as another aspirant Ashutosh Parida who failed to get the party ticket is opposing him.
Parida is a former district president of the BJP and is an executive member of the party’s national OBC morcha. The party which gained strength after the last panchayat elections now stands divided, observers said.
The Congress has announced the name of Umesh Jena as its candidate. But he has to do a lot of work and bring all leaders to his side to win.
Election results in 2014
Debashis Nayak (BJD) – 59,800
Biswaranjan Mallick (Independent) – 52,627
Nilamani Samal (BJP) – 9,183
Gagan Jena (Congress) – 7,682
Election results in 2009
Debashis Nayak (BJD) 55,842
Naba Kishore Samal (Congress) – 44,075
PNN