Nuapada: As electioneering heats in the Nuapada Assembly constituency, it is now almost clear that the ensuing polls are expected to be a tough fight between the BJD and the Congress. On the other hand, the BJP is struggling to repair its cracks. The Independents are said to play crucial roles in tilting the poll result here.
Since 1951, this Assembly segment had been a Congress bastion. The situation remained the same till the 70s. Later, it went to the Janata Dal’s kitty and then to the BJD.
However, after much effort, the BJP had managed to lay its foothold here in 2000. However, ticket distribution has stoked fire of discontent among the aspirants this time. If the ground reports are any indication, it appears the battle will be mainly between the BJD and the Congress in a changed political equation.
A section of BJP, which has left it, has been targeting the saffron nominee. Such a situation has provided an opportunity for the Congress and the BJD to make the best use of it at the hustings, said some political analysts.
Looking back at the last Assembly election result, BJP’s Basant Panda had won the election with 55,817 votes in his kitty, while BJD’s Rajendra Dholkia came second with 46,207 votes. Congress’ Ghasiram Majhi ended up third with 39,654 votes.
This time, the BJP has fielded a new face Home Singh Majhi, but the BJD and the Congress have retained their old guards.
However, fielding a new face has caused a lot of consternation among the saffron workers. Jadumani Panigrahi, former president of the BJP’s district unit and state executive member, raised the banner of revolt against the state leadership over the issue, but later quit the field.
Panigrahi was hell bent on contesting as an Independent.
However, Jadumani, a native of Komna block, is said to have been working at the grassroots level for the last 25 years. He has been leaving no stone unturned to be in contact with party workers and the grassroots organisers.
Given the past Assembly results, voters in Komna block have played a decisive role in the victory of candidates.
The position of Jadumani is said to be strong in Komna block, while the BJD and Congress have almost equal strengths in Nupada block.
The BJP nominee has banked heavily on his party’s vote bank, the ‘Modi wave’ and votes of people belonging to his own caste.
Here is what the contestants say
“I will win the poll on the basis on the social work done I have done here and the welfare schemes implemented by the Naveen Partnaik government. I have rectified the mistakes committed last time,” said Rajendra Dholkia, the BJD nominee.
“The people of the district have seen the leadership of many leaders. I hope they will give me a chance this time. I have led various agitations on different issues, including those of the farmers and poor people. They will surely cast their votes for me,” asserted Ghasiram Majahi, the Congress nominee.
“Though I am contesting for the first time, I come from a political family. People can see difference in administrations between the five years of Prime Minister Modi at the Centre and 19 years of rule by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Odisha. As an engineer, I will draw up good projects for the district,” said Home Singh Majhi, the BJP nominee.
“For the last 25 years, I have been nurturing the hope to serve people. The people of this constituency will hand me a victory,” said Jadumani Panigrahi, the Independent candidate.
PNN