Jharsuguda Bypoll In Odisha: BJD-BJP Hopeful Of Win As Political Climate Heats Up

Bhubaneswar: With the by-election to Jharsuguda Assembly constituency in Odisha now set to be held on May 10, both ruling BJD and opposition BJP on Thursday asserted that they are fully prepared for the bypoll.

While leaders of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expressed confidence about registering victory in the bypoll, Congress claimed that the party will gear up to put up a strong fight in Jharsuguda.

Jharsuguda seat fell vacant following the death of MLA and Health Minister Naba Kishore Das, who was shot dead by an assistant sub inspector of police at Brajarajnagar on January 29.

Soon after the bypoll schedule was announced, BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra claimed that the ruling party will register a landslide victory in Jharsuguda as it did in Padampur Assembly bypoll in December last year.

Stating that BJD’s defeat in Dhamnagar Assembly bypoll in Bhadrak district was an exception, Mishra said the party will prove in Jharsuguda that people of the state are solidly with it.

The mood of the people could be known clearly with the result of Padampur result, he said, adding that people are with BJD as they want speedy development of the state.

Speaking about the bypoll, slain Minister Naba Das’ daughter Deepali Das turned emotional, stating that her father had died exactly two months ago and now by-election is going to beheld for the seat held by him. “His (Naba Das) blessings are always with us,” she said.

On BJD candidate for the bypoll, Deepali said her family will abide by the decision of Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik. ‘Whoever is chosen by the CM, our family sill extend full support. Our preparation will be made in accordance with the decision of the Chief Minister,” she said, adding that Naveen has all along been supportive towards her family.

It may be noted that Deepali has already intensified her public interactions in the Assembly segment. She has been touring different areas in the constituency and attending programmes.

Senior BJP leader Mohan Majhi, on the other hand, asserted that the saffron party is confident of registering victory in Jharsuguda as it did in Dhamnagar Assembly by-election in Bhadrak district last year.

Stating that BJP’s organisation is very strong at the grassroots level in Jharsuguda, Majhi said the bypoll result will give a signal for change in the 2024 general elections.

Echoing same views, BJP stalwart and leader of opposition (LoP) Jayanarayan Mishra said there is no link between Naba Das’ death and Jharsuguda Assembly bypoll.

However, the senior BJP leader lashed out at the BJP government accusing the police of having failed to ascertain the motive behind the Minister’s murder even 60 days after the crime. He alleged that the government has been enacting a drama over the mysterious murder.

Congress, on its part, maintained that the party is not lagging behind in working out strategies for the upcoming by-election.

Stating that there are some aspirants for ticket, a senior Congress leader said the party high command will  soon decide the candidate and the preparation for the bypoll is in full swing.