The election to Koraput Notified Area Council (NAC) is a do or die situation for both Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati and BJD MP Jayaram Pangi as its results would determine their future political career.
While Congress had tasted success in the past ULB polls, this time BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik canvassed for his party and urged the voters to bring BJD to power.
During campaigning, Congress leaders focused on civic issues in the NAC and promised better roads, health and hygiene if voted to power. They even assured more funds for the district from the Central Government. Koraput NAC has around 31,000 voters.
Till campaign ended on Tuesday, BJD leaders lured the voters with development works initiated by the State Government.
Political observers, however, said it would be difficult for the party to garner votes as many of the schemes have failed to materialise. Some of them are urban slum development and Kutir Jyoti schemes.
Besides, after ouster of Pyarimohan Mahapatra, BJD seems to have lost control over several Wards in the NAC as the Odisha Jana Morcha chief has a stronghold in the region.
“It has become difficult for the BJD to retain the vote bank that Mahapatra enjoyed when he was in the party,” said an observer.