JEYPORE: In many parts of Koraput constituency, the BJP does not have an organisational presence and the tribal voters are not habituated with the ‘lotus’ symbol of the party which they are witnessing for the first time in this election.
Irrespective of the candidates, elections were mainly between the hand (Congress) and conch (BJD) symbols in the last two elections. For that matter, voters in interior villages mostly recognise the ‘hand’ symbol explaining the reason behind consecutive wins over a long period of time by some of the candidates.
However, this time things have undergone a change with the presence of BJP candidates in all the Assembly segments as well as the Lok Sabha seat. In some of the seats, the fight of the BJP is only symbolic with the contest mainly being between the BJD and Congress candidates.
But the Jeypore Assembly constituency is witnessing a different fight in this election.
Denied a ticket by the Congress from the Jeypore Assembly seat, Tara Prasad Bahinipati has entered the fray on a BJP ticket to avenge the humiliation.
He is against two serious and more entrenched contenders - Former minister Rabinarayan Nanda of the BJD, who has a sound organisational base, and K Nagarj Dora, a former employee Giridhar Gamang, of the Congress.
Elected from the constituency for the last two elections, Nanda is up against a strong anti-incumbency factor.
However, the whirlwind tour of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to the parliamentary constituency where he addressed several meetings is expected to boost the chances of BJD candidates.
The BJD is highlighting welfare measures undertaken by the State Government including the Rs 2-a-kg rice scheme and development programmes besides harping on ‘corruption’ and ‘family rule’ of the Congress. But ironically, Patraput, the native village of Nanda, does not have a proper approach road. It also does not have drinking water facility.
A strong traditional vote bank is the plus point of the Congress in this part of the State. The party has pocket votes in many parts of this constituency.
Bahinipati has, however, galvanised the BJP which is starting from scratch. At least, the party’s posters and banners are put up in many villages. But the outcome from a triangular contest can never be predicted with the voters keeping their cards close to their chest.
The Lakshmipur constituency from where Hema Gamang, wife of Giridhar Gamang, is the candidate is witnessing an interesting fight as rebels are expected to eat into the votes of Congress and BJD candidates. While Akhil Saunta, a former MLA, is giving sleepless nights to the BJD candidate Jhino Hikoka, Kailash Kalosika is contesting to avenge ‘humiliation’ by Congress.
He was announced as the official Congress nominee but the ticket was withdrawn to accommodate Hema. There is also Purno Chandra Majhi, sitting MLA of the Congress, who is also a victim of ‘family politics’ by Gamang. The BJP has also fielded a fresher Gopinath Khadapasia from the seat.