Bhubaneswar: With BJP dropping its 4 sitting MPs from the list of candidates for Lok Sabha elections in Odisha, speculation is rife in political circles whether the move will lead the party to achieve its ambitious target of 370 seats.
In its first list for 18 LS constituencies, the BJP nominated new candidates in Sambalpur, Bargarh, Mayurbhanj and Kalahandi. Sitting MPs Nitish Gangdev from Sambalpur, Suresh Pujari from Bargarh, Union Minister Bisweswar Tudu from Mayurbhanj and Basant Panda from Kalahandi got the axe.
Various factors were in play for deciding the fate of these 4 MPs. The BJP’s internal audit revealed poor chances for Tudu to get re-elected from Mayurbhanj. The allegations of assaulting government officials, issuing controversial statements and per performances as a minister went against his favour in getting approval from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for renomination, according to party insiders.
Mayurbhanj being the home district of President Droupadi Murmu, the party had to be extra careful in selecting a candidate with an unblemished image for the prestigious seat. Besides, the ruling BJD in the state, which has been performing well in panchayat and municipal elections in the district, is expected to pose a tough fight.
Considering these factors, the saffron party opted to nominate Rairangpur MLA Naba Charan Majhi. A leader with clean image, the party expects him to garner enough support to come out victorious in the election. At the same time, it is likely to field the President’s daughter Itishree Murmu as MLA candidate from Rairangpur.
It is also speculated that the BJP plans to adopt Madhya Pradesh formula in Odisha by fielding sitting MPs in the Assembly elections in the state where it wants to leave no stone unturned to dethrone BJD and come to power. In that case, it may nominate Basant Panda and Suresh Pujari for Assembly polls and if the party gets majority, these leaders can be taken into state Cabinet.
In that case, Pujari may replace Radharani Panda in Brajrajnagar Assembly segment and Panda may contest from Nuapada.
In Bargarh, the BJP has promoted its Padampur leader Pradip Purohit to contest in Lok Sabha polls in order to infuse new blood into the contest. Similarly, it has fielded Malabika Keshari Deo from the royal family in Kalahandi to garner votes by whipping the voters’ sentiment attached with the queen.
In Sambalpur, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has made entry into electoral politics. The party nominated him as a safe bait considering that present MP Nitesh Gangdev was not very active in the local politics. Besides, Pradhan is perceived as a son of soil by the voters of western Odisha.
However, the election results will only decide whether the BJP’s change in gameplan was a sure shot or a blank fire.
