BJD Makes Chandrasekhar Sahu Manifesto Panel Chief; Suspense Grips Berhampur LS Ticket

Bhubaneswar: The BJD on Wednesday appointed Berhampur MP Chandrasekhar Sahu as party vice president and chairman of its manifesto committee, triggering speculation that the veteran leader might not be renominated to contest the parliamentary elections.

The Naveen Patnaik-led party has so far announced MP candidates for 15 Lok Sabha constituencies, barring Berhampur, Balangir, Bargarh, Keonjhar, Bhadrak and Balasore seats.

Coincidentally, Sahu’s appointment to a organisational post came moments after Bhrugu Buxipatra snapped 23-year-old ties with the BJP, fuelling discussions in political circles that the BJD could be eyeing the latter for the Berhampur LS seat.

Also Read: Bhrugu Baxipatra Snaps 23-Yr-Old Ties With BJP, Says ‘Party Does Not Require Me’

Bhrugu had garnered an impressive 3.49 lakh votes from Berhampur in 2019 but lost to Sahu by a margin of around 94,000 votes.

The BJP has given its ticket for Berhampur parliamentary constituency to former minister Pradeep Panigrahi, who after being expelled from the BJD joined the BJP in February.

Speculation is also rife that the regional party may field a woman candidate from the Berhampur LS seat this time.