Nabarangpur: With the campaign picking up, all major political parties have raised issues closest to the hearts of the voters. In the Dabugaon Assembly constituency of Nabarangpur district, the issues include irrigation facilities, safe drinking water, forest rights, load shedding, crimes against women, distress migration of labour and the lack of higher education facilities.
Dabugaon is all set for a triangular contest this time. Independents may create problems for the BJD while the BSP nominee can divide votes.
The BJD has fielded Manohar Randhari as its candidate. Manohar, who was elected from the Congress bastion Nabarangpur twice, was given a chance in Dabugaon this time. He has been busying himself with the BJD’s organisational for since eight months.
The BJD had fielded Motiram Nayak, the chairman of the Special Development Council from this seat twice earlier. As SDC chairman, he had built links with the public and helped the party gain strength. But after the party gave the ticket to Manohar, Motiram and his supporters have stopped helping the party nominee.
It is difficult for Manohar to campaign and regroup BJD workers in the seat. Motiram is not actively participating in Manohar’s campaign.
Another BJD leader named Manohar is also contesting from this seat as an Independent. Voters are confused by the two Manohars in the battlefield.
Bhujabal Majhi of the Congress was elected from here twice. Majhi had been organising the party in his last two terms. So it is difficult for Manohar Randhari to fight Bhujabal.
This time, the BJP has fielded Padman Nayak, a new face. The problem is that the BJP’s organisation is weak here.
BJP President Amit Shah and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan had addressed a meeting at Umerkote. The rally is expected to have a favourable impact on the party nominee’s prospects.
BSP nominee Damusingh Majhi will create problems for the nominees of the two mainstream parties.
The Dabugaon Assembly constituency comprises 15 panchayats of Kosamguda block, 23 panchayats of Papadahandi block and 12 panchayats of Dabugaon. The number of voters here is 1,93,938, including 99,121 females.
2014 poll results
Bhujabal Majhi(Cong) 62,257
Motiram Nayak (BJD) 56,860
Sashidhar Majhi (BJP) 10,853
Thirteen elections were held between 1961 and 2014. Elected members from the Dabugam constituency are:
2014: (76): Bhujabal Majhi (Congress)
2009: (76): Bhujabal Majhi (Congress)
2004: (92): Ramesh Chandra Majhi (BJD)
2000: (92): Bhujabal Majhi (Congress)
1995: (92): Jadav Majhi (Janata Dal)
1990: (92): Jadav Majhi (Janata Dal)
1985: (92): Ghasiram Majhi (Congress)
1980: (92): Phulamani Santa (Congress-I)
1977: (92): Shyamaghana Majhi (Janata Party)
1974: (92): Shyamaghana Majhi (Swatantra Party)
1971: (86): Dambaru Majhi (Swatantra Party)
1967: (86): Dambaru Majhi (Swatantra Party)
1961: (2): Jagannath Tripathy (Congress)
PNN