Big Plan By Beleaguered Pranab Das In Odisha ?

Bhubaneswar: Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Pranab Prakash Das, popularly known as ‘Bobby’, seems to be making desperate efforts to return to the political mainstream in Odisha after his defeat in the recent elections. Speculations are rife that Jajpur MLA Sujata Sahu may resign to pave way for Pranab, who is reported to be entering the Assembly through ‘back door.’ Ever since Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed government in Odisha, Pranab has been encountering difficult situations over several issues such as ‘illegal’ construction in the government quarters and Kusuma Bungalow in Jajpur. He is also said to be getting sidelines in BJD. Therefore, he is stated to be making some ‘big plans’ to return to power politics.

By-Election Plan?

Pranab had contested the Lok Sabha elections from high-profile Sambalpur constituency with a plan to defeat senior BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and increase BJD’s grip over western Odisha. However, the elections threw up results that were contrary to his designs. Anticipating defeat in Sambalpur, Bobby arranged to field his mother Sandharani Das in Korei Assembly constituency in Jajpur. While Pranab was defeated by Dharmendra in Sambalpur, his mother lost to BJP’s Akash Dasnayak and both his plans failed. Pranab had fielded Mission Shakti Mahasangh president Sujata Sahu from Jajpur Assembly seat, earlier held by him. Speculations are now rife that Pranab may try to enter the Assembly through a by-election.

Sujata’s Resignation May Boomerang For BJD

Mission Shakti was the flagship programme of the previous BJD government. The regional party had hit a master stroke by sending Mission Shakti leader Pramila Bishoyi to Lok Sabha from Aska in 2019 elections. The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD made substantial political gains by presenting Mission Shakti as a major initiative for women empowerment in the state. Making similar claims, the regional party nominated Sujata for Jajpur Assembly seat and she won. If Sujata resigns her Assembly membership due to some reason, BJD will certainly come under bitter attack. It will have an adverse impart on its woman vote bank.

Will Sujata Agree?

Bobby is said to be planning to reach the Assembly using a different channel from Jajpur. However, no one is certain whether Sujata will quit her membership barely 100 days after getting elected to the legislature. She may refuse to resign in the same manner as Ramesh Rout of Athagarh. Sujata had been the chairperson of Dasarathpur panchayat samiti from 2017 to 2022. Subsequently, she took charge of Mission Shakti Mahasangh president. She has become a legislator for the first time.

BJP To Go All Out To Break Conch Fort

Considered a stronghold of BJD for a long time, Jajpur got a saffron touch in the 2024 elections. BJD which had won all the Assembly seats in 2019 elections managed to bag only three segments in 2024. BJP candidates emerged victorious in four Assembly constituencies in the recent elections. Sujata defeated Goutam Ray of BJP by a thin margin of 2,564 votes. Therefore, it is not going to be smooth sailing for Bobby even if he convinces Sujata to quit her membership. However, Bobby’s marathon tours of Jajpur recently have triggered speculations about possible resignation by her.