Keonjhar: The Assembly segment (24) of mineral and industrially rich Keonjhar consists of Sadar block and some parts of Jhumpura and Bansapal blocks.
Given the results of the last two Assembly polls, BJD still holds sway in the constituency.
However, political observers say, there will be a keen contest between the BJD and the BJP while Congress and independent candidates will play a crucial role.
Prior to 2009 polls, the seat was under BJP control when the BJD-BJP coalition government was in place. However, BJD wrested it from BJP in last two polls. Now, opposition parties have smelt an opportunity for them to stake claim to the seat in the forthcoming polls.
The seat that consists of Sadar block, five panchayats under Bansapal, and 12 panchayats under Jhumpura was reserved for ST candidate in 1951. The number of voters is 1,99,673.
BJD’s Abhiram Nayak was elected in 2014 poll with 35.87 percent vote while Subarna Nayak (BJD) came out victorious with 30.34 percent vote in 2009.
In the last Assembly polls, BJD had taken five segments except Champua Assembly seat. And this time, BJD has been leaving no stone unturned to retain the winning streak.
It is said that Abhiram Nayak had won by a margin of 95,958 votes in the last polls, but he was accused of not reaching out to the people. Old party workers are said to be feeling alienated and neglected. Therefore, they are disgruntled.
Besides, former MLA Subarna Nayak who is allegedly involved in chit fund scam and has been suspended by his party, still hopes to get party ticket. He has openly said that he or his wife will fight polls as an Independent candidate if the party does not give them tickets.
Now, another BJD leader is the zilla parishad president Kamalini Patra, who is expected by BJD to use her as a candidate in the forthcoming polls.
BJP has been trying to draw political mileage in the next polls. But internal bickering has been a problem for the saffron party here.
Poor organization of Congress and rift-ridden BJP will create another chance for the BJD in the coming polls, political observers say.
Abhiram Nayak has not given up hopes for BJD ticket this time while the political grapevine has it that BJD may try out a new face.
In the 2014 polls, BJP’s Mohan Majhi had got 47,283 votes in second position. Mohan still nurtures hopes for a party ticket. As Mohan has been defeated twice, party workers have been pitching for a new face. Other ticket aspirants from BJP include former block chairperson Kiranbala Nayak.
Congress is also hopeful of registering win. Bidyadhar Dehury and Sidheswar Nayak had unsuccessfully contested polls earlier. Sidheswar had got 17,531 votes and ended up as fourth in 2014.
Independent MLA Dwarikanath Nayak had polled 25,755 votes and got 3rd position with the support of Champua MLA Sanatan Mahakud.
Dwarikanath still wants to contest the forthcoming polls. Now, supporters of Jana Samrudhi Party floated Sanatan Mahakud and are awaiting the announcement of candidate.
PNN