Muniguda: The BSP is likely to give a tough fight to the Congress, the BJP and the BJD in Bisamakatak Assembly constituency in Rayagada.
The constituency consists of Bisamakatak, Muniguda, Kolnara and Kalyasinghpur blocks.
The frontline leaders of the BJD, the Congress and the BJP have left their parties after they were denied tickets. Their discontent may prove a spoiler for the official nominees of those parties.
The BSP has fielded Jitu Jakesika here. Jitu has a good hold over voters in the area. His candidature is considered crucial for the BSP.
The BJD has fielded Jagannath Sarka again. He is banking on the welfare schemes of the Naveen Patnaik government. But the Opposition is highlighting unemployment and farmers’ problems.
The Congress has fielded Nilamadhab Hikaka and the BJP Shibshankar Ullaka.
A few months ago Dongria community leader and BJD leader Jitu Jakosika resigned from the Special Development Council and joined the BSP. The BSP is banking on his leadership as he has a good hold over tribal people. This may spell trouble for the BJD candidate.
Veteran Congress leader Dambarudhar Ullaka has been sulking in silence after the party denied him ticket and gave it to youth leader Nilamadhab Hikaka. Dambarudhar is a former chairman of Bisamakatak block. Although he has not left the party he is unhappy and it can affect the prospects of the Congress.
The BJP is banking on the leadership of Shibshankar Ullaka, the former president of the party’s district unit, after refusing a ticket to its former MLA Sarangdhar Kadraka. Sarangdhar left BJP and joined the BJD. His unhappiness may spoil the chances of the saffron party nominee here.
A Union minister and actor Anu Choudhury have campaigned for the BJP nominee. The party asserts that the Modi wave is working for the party.
Political pundits predict that as most tribal votes may go to the BSP, its candidate Jitu may change the poll outcome. Jitu is leaving no stone unturned to bag as many votes as possible.
PNN
