BHUBANESWAR: Even as filing of nominations for the first phase election in the state has already started, major political parties BJD, BJP and Congress are yet to announce candidates for several important Assembly seats.
Though Jajpur is considered a BJD stronghold, the party is yet to announce candidates for Bari and Korei Assembly seats of the district. As organisational secretary of the party Pranab Prakash Dash is pitted against BJP heavyweight and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat, there is intense speculation over the delay in announcement of candidates from the two seats.
The delay in announcement of BJD nominee from Korei assumes significance as it is speculated Pranab may enter the fray from the seat himself or the party may field a candidate who could sacrifice the constituency if the need arises. But the party’s strategy can only be analysed after announcement of candidate for Korei seat.
Speculation is rife that Pranab’s elder brother, Bhaba Prakash Das will be fielded by BJD, so that he can resign from the seat if needed. The resignation of Bhaba Prakash will be required if Das does not succeed in Sambalpur and requires an escape route.
Sources pointed out Pranab may contest the elections from two seats. While polling for Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat is scheduled on May 25, voting in Korei will be held on June 1, in the last phase. There will be enough time for Pranab to campaign after elections are over at Sambalpur.
Party leaders maintained Pranab would prefer Korei as it is like his family stronghold. While Pranab’s father, Ashok Das was elected from Korei five times, he is a three-time MLA from Jajpur. But everything depends on which way the Sambalpur Lok Sabha result will go.
BJD is also yet to announce candidates for Raghunathpalli, Hindol, Khandapada, Begunia, Khurda, Bangiriposi, Bhograi, Nilagiri, Balikuda-Erasama and Kakatpur Assembly segments. Senior leader Chiranjib Biswal, who had quit Congress to join BJD is a strong contender for ticket from Balikuda-Erasama seat. BJP also has not named its nominees for Telkoi, Ghasipura, Champua, Hindol, Barabati-Cuttack, Begunia, Khurda, Basta, Nilagiri, Bhandaripokhari, Basudevpur, Bari, Salepur and Kendrapara seats. Similarly, Congress is yet to announce candidates for two Lok Sabha constituencies, Cuttack and Mayurbhanj and nine Assembly seats.