Basudevpur: The Basudevpur Assembly seat (45) is one of the important constituencies in Bhadrak district.
As general elections near, ticket hopefuls of all the three major political parties – the BJD, the BJP and the Congress – have started playing to the gallery.
The seat is now represented by BJD veteran Bijayshree Routry. Retaining the seat is a matter of prestige for the ruling party while the BJP and the Congress are trying to attract voters.
This Assembly seat consists of 36 panchayats of Basudevpur block, 23 wards of the municipality and nine panchayats of Tihidi block. Voters number 2,46,320. Of them, 1,29,456 are male and 1,16,853 are female. The number of polling booths is 266. This seat is considered hypersensitive.
Former Chief Ministers like Nabakrusna Choudhry, Harekrushna Mahatab and Nilamani Routray were elected from this Assembly seat in the past. Later, the seat was represented by the late Nandakishore Jena, Chakradhar Bahera, Jagabandhu Das and Madhusudan Panigrahi.
This seat has much importance in Odisha politics. Since 1990, Bijayshree Routray has been elected from this seat six times continuously. He is now the forest and environment minister.
During past elections there used to be two-cornered fights, but this time the seat is likely to witness a triangular contest, political observers said.
In 1980, Bijayshree started his political career on a Janata Dal ticket, but was defeated in the first two elections. He was defeated by Congress nominee Jagabandhu Das in 1980 and by Madhusudan Panigrahi in 1985.
After 1990 he has been maintaining his popularity. He had defeated Congress nominee Minakhi Nayak once, Purnachandra Nayak twice and Madhabananda Mallick thrice.
Bijayshree has already declared that he would not contest this time. His son and Bhadrak BJD unit general secretary Bishnubrat Routray is likely to get the BJD ticket, as there is no other claimant.
The BJD has managed to avoid infighting here. Given this favourable factor, he is hopeful of winning his debut contest. His father Bijayshree has been visiting panchayats, highlighting the achievements of the Naveen Patnaik Government. For three years Bishnubrat has been working for the party.
The Congress party organisation here is in good shape. Madhabananda Mallick, who was defeated thrice, is now in the BJP. Former municipality chairperson Ashok Das is most likely to fight for the Congress.
Ashok, a young leader, is known for his able leadership and clean image. He is also acceptable among Congress leaders. He has been moving through panchayats and mobilising voters to consolidate the party’s base. Party workers are confident of Ashok’s victory in the coming polls.
Another leader, Prakashjyoti Mahakud, is also in the race for the Congress ticket.
The BJP is leaving no stone unturned for strengthening its base in this constituency. Madhabananda Mallick, state executive body member Dinabandhu Pati and BJP district unit vice president Ashok Sahu are in the race for the party ticket.
Dinabandhu had contested in 2014, but Madhabananda had joined the party in the presence of the Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
As a seasoned politician, Madhabananda is on a good wicket and has huge support here for 40 years. He is likely to get the BJP ticket. Although the three leaders are ticket hopefuls, they are often found together at party meetings.
Political observers say the BJP may give a tough fight to the BJD in the coming polls.
2014 poll results
Bijayshree Routray (BJD) – 77,781
Madhabananda Mallick (Congress) – 71,275
Dinabandhu Pati (BJP) – 15,339