Balasore: After dates for the forthcoming assembly and parliamentary elections were announced, political circles are abuzz about possibility of fielding women candidates by major parities in Balasore Lok Sabha seat. The ruling BJD has laid stress on 33 percent women reservation and has already announced names of several women nominees in the western Odisha. Given this situation, other opposition parties like BJP and Congress have adopted a wait and watch policy on the issue of playing women card in Balasore Lok Sabha seat.
Rabindra Jena was elected from this seat in 2014 on BJD ticket and has exercised his sway in the parliamentary constituency. However, he is still hopeful of denomination by his party to contest the forthcoming election. If the BJD play women card, his chances are likely to be scuttled. Other parties are likely to field women candidates to counter their strategy.
Among the women candidates aspiring to fight polls in the seat are BJD’s Subasini Jena, BJP’s Dr Lekhashree Samantsinghar and AAP’s Mamata Kundu.
If Rabindra Jena is denied BJD ticket, his wife Subasini Jena may be fielded in his place, it is said.
On the other hand, Congress workers say, if the BJD plays women card, their party will thrash out strategy accordingly. Now, Nabajyoti Patnaik, son of OPCC president Niranjan Patanik, said to be the frontrunner for the Congress ticket from this seat.
As for women card, MP Rabindra Jena, stated that his party has laid focus on the 33 percent women reservation. “As per calculation, about 7 women candidates will be fielded in parliamentary seats in the state. Party high command and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will call shots in this matter. Candidate selection will have been over by March 25,” he added.
President of the Congress district unit, Sarat Raj said that polls in the district will be held in the fourth phase. List of party candidates will be out by March 22 for the fourth phase of elections, he added.
On the other hand, the BJD has dropped broad hints about possibility of fielding woman candidate from the party.
Former Nilagiri MLA and member of the BJP national executive, Pratap Chandra Sarangi said,”The BJP has always attached much importance on dignity and representation of women. Patty has decided to field more women candidates in the assembly and parliamentary seats.”
He also added that the party will soon decide on its nominee for the Balasore Lok Sabha seat.
The Balasore Lok Sabha seat comprises seven assembly segments – Jaleswar, Bhograi, Basta, Sadar, Remuna, Nilagiri and Badasahi(Mayurbhanj).
In the 2014 panchayat elections, the BJP had put up a good performance. On the basis of the last panchayat poll results, all parties have made their strategies, it is said.
PNN