Berhampur: With all political parties gearing up for the twin elections in Odisha, the prestigious Berhampur Lok Sabha constituency is all set to witness a battle of turncoats in the upcoming polls. The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has surprised all by fielding Bhrugu Baxipatra, who had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from the seat as a candidate of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His exit from the saffron party, a quick entry into BJD and a swift surprise nomination by the Naveen Patnaik-led party has given a new twist to all calculations. Political configurations in Berhampur have undergone tremendous change with the entry of Bhrugu, who will be taking on BJP nominee Pradeep Panigrahi.
With poll warriors of both BJD and BJP getting ready to hit the battlefield, Berhampur Parliamentary constituency is poised to witness a keen contest between the two fighters. Once considered a close confidant of Naveen Patnaik in BJD, Pradeep is now batting for BJP. Similarly, his main rival is Bhrugu, who led the battle for BJP in Berhampur last time. Party hopping has upset all political equations not only in Berhampur constituency but also entire Ganjam district this time. Amid the rapidly changing political scenario, the voters appear to be confused. They do not know which candidate they should rely on. Apart from voters, workers of both the political parties at the grassroots level also seem to be confused. They will have to campaign for the candidate whom they were opposing tooth and nail only a few days ago.
Election in the constituency appears to have become a prestige issue for both BJP and BJD and they would be fighting the battle of ballots with vengeance. Personal vendetta seems to have replaced political fight in the sensitive seat. BJP has put a major challenge before the ruling BJD by fielding Pradeep in the constituency. Similarly, the regional party has shocked the saffron party by importing Bhrugu and instantly announcing him as its candidate in Berhampur. Both the parties will now make all out efforts to ensure victory.
Berhampur Lok Sabha constituency includes five Assembly segments of Ganjam district and two Assembly seats in Gajapati. Pradeep enjoys considerable hold in both the south Odisha districts. Pradeep had taken charge of the organisation in 2019 elections when he was in the ruling BJD. Therefore, BJP has fielded him in a bid to penetrate the BJD stronghold in the area. BJP seeks to play ‘Odia Pride’ card projecting Pradeep as a victim at the hand of BJD. Pradeep had worked for the regional outfit for over two decades and strengthened its base in the region. He is well aware of the strength and weaknesses of the ruling party. 2024 elections is going to be a battle for survival for Pradeep and he will go all out to get maximum result at the hustings.
Similarly, Ganjam has all along been a BJD bastion. The district is home to Naveen Patnaik’s Assembly constituency, Hinjili. BJD has won 12 of the 13 Assembly seats in the district in 2019 elections. Of the seven Assembly segments located under Berhampur Lok Sabha seat, Chhatrapur, Berhampur, Digapahandi and Chikiti are with BJD. Similarly, Congress had won Mohana and BJP Paralakhemundi Assembly seats last time.
The ruling BJD has been winning Berhampur Lok Sabha seat since 2009 elections and the regional outfit’s strong organisational base will be the major strength for Bhrugu, who was defeated by Chandrasekhar Sahu by a margin of around 94,000 votes in 2019 polls. However, the equations have changed this time. Though Congress has fielded youth leader Rashmi Ranjan Patnaik in Berhampur, it is likely to be a straight fight between Pradeep and Bhrugu this time.
