Cuttack: A retired IAS officer and a 28-year-old student leader among others are now trying their luck from Choudwar-Cuttack Assembly segment.
The Congress party has nominated retired IAS officer and former additional chief secretary of Rajasthan, Jagdish Chandra Mohanty, to fight the 2019 polls from the constituency.
The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has fielded student leader Souvik Biswal from the seat. Souvik’s father and BJD leader Pravat Biswal had won the segment in 2009 and 2014.
The regional party has chosen Souvik to contest the polls amid allegations of Pravat’s involvement in the chitfund scam in state.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated Nayan Kishore Mohanty to contest the polls.
Pravat Biswal, as a BJD nominee, had won the 2009 polls by a margin of 32, 777 votes and the 2014 elections by a margin of 41, 331 votes.
Congress candidate Savitree Choudhury had managed to secure only 8, 498 votes in 2009 polls while party nominee Suresh Mahapatra was polled 24, 651 votes in 2014 elections.
However, Congress candidate for 2019 polls, Jagdish Mohanty, exuded confidence that he would end BJD dominance on Choudwar-Cuttack seat. “People of the constituency are yet to get basic civic amenities. There is huge scope for establishment of industries in Choudwar-Cuttack area. But, lack of political will and callousness of officials have been acting as hindrances. My aim is to bring all-round development to people,” Mohanty said.
BJD pick Souvik Biswal, however, claimed that several developmental projects have been implemented in the constituency during his father’s tenure as an MLA. “I am here to continue the developmental works initiated by my father. BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s popularity and the blessings of Choudwar-Cuttack people are my assets,” Souvik said.
However, BJP nominee Nayan Kishore Mohanty criticised both BJD and Congress for their failure to fulfill the people’s aspirations. “People have no faith in BJD and Congress. They have decided for a change. Both the parties would bite the dust due to the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Mohanty claimed.