Kendrapara: Speculations are rife about the Patakura Assembly constituency. The public expected a triangular fight here after the BJD, BJP and Congress announced their respective candidates for the seat.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Khadi and Village Industries Board chairman Tejeswar Parida purchased nomination papers Friday to contest from Patakura. It is learnt that one Ajaya Kumar Rout, a lecturer by profession, has also purchased nomination papers.
Now political analysts say that that there could be a multi-cornered fight in this constituency and things will become clear only after all candidates file their nominations.
With the elections knocking on the door, the BJP candidate in Patakura, Bijoy Mohapatra, took part in a Vijay Sankalp Samavesh held at Chhata Haat Padia in Derabisi block Saturday.
The Samavesh was also attended by BJP vice-president and party’s Kendrapara Lok Sabha candidate Baijayant Panda along with their star campaigner Babusan and other district BJP leaders.
Despite the scorching heat, around 5,000 BJP supporters had gathered at the meeting venue. Several dissidents from the BJD and the Congress too joined the BJP in the presence of Baijayant Panda and Bijoy Mohapatra.
Addressing the gathering, Bijoy said, “The election this year is not just another election. It is very important. During its 19-year rule the BJD looted public funds and many of its leaders are involved in the chit fund scam.”
Bijoy Mohapatra will face Ved Prakash Agarwal of the BJD and Jayanta Kumar Mohanty of the Congress.
This was the first public meeting of Bijoy Mohapatra in Patakura after his homecoming to the BJP. He tried to show his strength at the meeting.
After the 1980 elections, he won from Patakura four times and was given a Cabinet minister’s post in the state. It is said that he will be the centre of attraction for local voters as he belongs to the Talasukuma village in Patakura Assembly constituency and has created a special image for himself in state politics.
BJD candidate Ved Prakash Agarwal is a seasoned politician, who was held ministerial posts several times. He is also quite popular in Patakura.
Ved Prakash won in 2014 with a record margin of 48,000 votes defeating Jayanta Kumar Mohanty of the Congress. As a seasoned politician, he has chalked out his strategy for the coming Assembly elections.
The Congress is hoping to win anti-BJD and anti-BJP votes as well as its traditional votes to help its candidate Jayanta Kumar Mohanty to win.
In the case of the BJP, analysts say that the bickering in the party over the announcement of candidates for Mahakalpara, Rajnagar and Ali Assembly constituencies can affect it adversely.
Even though the BJP is a cadre-based party, fielding of candidates who crossed over from other parties has set off dissidence within its ranks.
BJD candidate Ved Prakash Agarwal is facing opposition from local leader and Derabisi block chairman Sarojkant Sahoo. There is a very high possibility of Sarojkant supporting the opponents of Ved Prakash Agarwal. This can cause massive damage to the BJD.
Moreover, the BJD candidate is currently under medical treatment. Due to this he is unable to visit his Assembly constituency despite getting the party ticket. Although his supporters claim that he will file his nomination papers April 8, there is a possibility of his party ticket going to someone else.
In this connection Tejeswar Parida said, “Usually supporters buy nomination papers. However, I have not decided to fight as an Independent candidate.”
Ajaya Kumar Rout is a hopeful who was lobbying for the BJD ticket. He had worked in Patakura for five years as a social activist. Giving his views he said, “There is a very high possibility of the candidate changing in Patakura. Local voters support me. In case of a change in candidate, I will be the first claimant for the BJD ticket. I will always honour public opinion.”
PNN
