Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha MLA Sanatan Mahakud has been playing a decisive role in electoral politics in tribal-dominated Keonjhar district. All eyes are again set on Sanatan after Lok Sabha and Assembly election dates were announced. Poll observers are waiting to see as to what role Sanatan will play this time, particularly in Champua Assembly segment, which he once represented.
In 2019 elections, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) won both Champua Assembly and Keonjhar Lok Sabha seats with the support of Sanatan. As per his recommendation, BJD fielded Minakshi Mahanta in Champua Assembly constituency and Chandrani Murmu, a first-timer, in Keonjhar Lok Sabha seat. Both emerged victorious with the blessings of Sanatan as BJD won Champua Assembly seat for the first time.
Not many are aware that Sanatan was the main player who brought victory for the ruling BJD in Champua. His supporters and followers were eagerly waiting for a ‘return gift’. It was expected that the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD would induct him into the party and send him to Rajya Sabha or give some important post.
However, no such thing happened. On the contrary, Minakshi Mahanta took a ‘U-Turn’ after getting elected as MLA with Sanatan’s backing. Her husband, who was once a close friend of Sanatan, raised his voice against him. It is speculated that Sanatan may himself contest from Champua, from where he was elected as an independent candidate in 2014 elections. He is reported to be planning to field his own candidates in five Assembly constituencies in Keonjhar along with the Lok Sabha seat. He is also stated to be planning to put up a candidate for Karanjia Assembly seat in Mayurbhanj. With Sanatan putting himself in battle gear, BJD may have to face considerable damage in the area.
Apart from having a strong organisational base in Keonjhar, Sanatan has his own vote bank in the region. He enjoys the support of sizeable section of the electorate because of the financial and other assistance that he has been extending to the people in need. His presence in the electoral battle is bound to pose a formidable challenge to BJD. On the other hand, Sanatan’s vote share may benefit BJP, which had lost Telkoi, Patna and Champua seats by slender margins in 2019 polls.
In 2009 elections, Jitu Patnaik had won from Champua defeating Sanatan by a slender margin of 145 votes. However, Sanatan contested as independent in 2014 and emerged victorious, while Kusha Apat came second. Sanatan was keen to contest again in 2019 and he had also formed his own party – Jana Samrudha Party. However, he was made to succumb to pressure from the ruling party.
Money and resources from mines have been playing a significant role in Champua located in the mineral-rich belt. The entire area has come to be known for high-voltage campaign by Bollywood stars in recent elections. Independent candidates have won in three of the last five Assembly elections in Champua. While leaders like Minakshi Mahanta, Kusha Apat and Laxman Mahanta are said to be among the major contenders for BJD ticket, Murli Sharma and Sukeshi Oram happen to be probable BJP aspirants in in Champua, which was once a Congress bastion. However, observers are of the view that Sanatan’s entry may queer the BJD pitch in Champua.
