The Aul Assembly segment under Kendrapara Lok Sabha is all set to witness a no-holds-barred fight between the sitting BJD MLA and a minister of state Pratap Keshari Dev and Congress leader Debendra Sharma.
The Assembly seat has been the fiefdom of the royal family members of Aul since long and Pratap is the fourth generation member to win the election last time.
Sushri Devi, mother of Pratap, is a former member of Rajya Sabha. Sarat Dev, Pratap’s father, had been elected thrice from Aul Assembly seat and once from Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat in 1983 bypoll.
Ramraj Kumari, the grandmother of Pratap, had also been elected from Pattamundai Assembly segment in the first Assembly election in 1952 after Independence. Aul constituency was formed in 1957, and since then the scions of the royal family are contesting the polls. The royal family’s influence over voters in Aul is evident from the fact that its scions faced defeat in the segment just thrice. This time, though, the Congress is trying its best to win the election.
Locals said as the royal scions have done little in the past years for the benefit of the area, this would reflect on their winnability this time.
“People had reposed faith on the royal family members. However, they have let them down. Development in this constituency has taken a backseat. As people feel cheated, the royal scions will certainly be rejected by voters,” said Congress candidate Debendra.
However, Pratap said he has initiated a number of development works. “All the villages are now connected with pucca roads and drinking water has been provided to almost all the families. The BJD has also built many bridges in river-locked Aul and Rajkanika areas,” he said.
In the last Assembly election, Pratap was elected from Aul by defeating Congress’ Debendra by a margin of 5,877 votes. Pratap had defeated Debendra in 2000 and 2004 Assembly polls as well.
Political observers said though Pratap scored a hat-trick in Aul, the ensuing election will be an acid test for him with development being the poll plank for both the parties.
“The election this time will not be a cakewalk for the BJD as the State Government has failed to fulfil the promises that it made last time. Voters are well aware that many projects are pending implementation here,” said an analyst.
Around 2,37,969 voters of Aul will decide the fate of Debendra and Pratap on April 17.