BJD, BJP Reach For The Stars, Cong Stays Away

Political parties are leaving no stone unturned in the run-up to the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha, roping in popular and well-known Ollywood actors as candidates or star campaigners.

But while the BJD and BJP pick up these actors, the Congress is not banking on them.

The BJD has fielded popular actor Anubhav Mohanty as its candidate from Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat, while the BJP has fielded Pinki Pradhan against BJD leader and minister Surya Narayan Patro from Digapahandi Assembly seat.

Sources said the saffron party is going to field well-known actress Maheswata Ray as its candidate.

The BJD has two actor-turned politicians, of which the party leadership has not considered two-time Berhampur MP Sidhant Mahapatra as candidate this time. On the other hand, Korei MLA and actor Akash Das Nayak is hopeful of getting a party ticket. “I am hopeful that the party leadership will allow me to contest again. I will start campaigning after I get the ticket. Besides, I will also find time to campaign for my party candidates,” Nayak said.

Apart from the candidature, the BJP and the BJP have roped in a number of star campaigners from Ollywood. While the BJP has Mihir Das, Sritam Das, Akhila Patnaik, Anu Choudhury, Aparajita Sarangi, Ashrumochan Mohanty, Harihar Mahapatra, Pinki Pradhan and Bidusmita Dash Mantry as its star campaigners, the BJD has Prashant Nanda, Uttam Mohanty, Sidhant Mohapatra, Kuna Tripathy and Arindam Ray.

The Congress has decided to not rope in any actor for its poll campaign. “We are not overly dependent on actors, as they have no profound impact on electoral politics in Odisha,” said Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) vice-president Arya Kumar Gyanendra.