Subhashree Panda, wife of most wanted Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, on Tuesday joined the Ama Odisha Party (AOP) along with her supporters.
Subhashree alias Mili, president of Ranpur-based outfit Janamanch Odisha, was arrested in 2010 and was in jail for two years for her alleged links with the outlawed CPI-Maoist party. She was acquitted in 2012 and launched the Janmanch Odisha in 2013.
Subhashree, who was set free from jail in 2012, said she would like to contest the ensuing Assembly elections from Ranpur segment in Nayagarh district. Her father-in-law Ramesh Panda had represented the Ranpur Assembly constituency thrice on the CPM ticket.
Welcoming Subhashree into the Ama Odisha Party, its president Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said she is a capable leader and will strengthen the party. If nominated from Ranpur by the Ama Odisha Party, Subhashree will face BJP candidate and former minister Surama Padhi. The Congress is yet to name its candidate for the seat. The Ama Odisha Party is contesting the ensuing polls along with Kharavel Swain’s Utkal Bharat under a common election symbol. The two parties had announced to contest from all the 21 Lok Sabha and 147 Assembly seats.
Subhashree was first arrested and sent to jail in 2010 in a case related to Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
In a separate case, Subhashree Panda was accused of involvement in the exchange of fire between Maoists and security forces in Kutinguda forest of Gudari area in 2003. Sabyasachi, who is on the run, is also nursing the ambition of joining active politics.
The State unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) recently said it was not averse to Panda’s joining the party provided he gave up violence and agreed to work within the ambit of the Constitution.
Unconfirmed reports said a desperate Sabyasachi, chief of Odisha Maobadi Party (OMP), is making attempts to contact the AAP.