Berhampur: Amid the din and bustle ahead of the twin elections in Odisha, Berhampur Assembly constituency is poised to witness an interesting fight between a ‘Guru’ and his ‘Sishya’. As poll fever grips the Assembly segment, a straight fight is likely to take place between Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) veteran leader Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik and K Anil Kumar of Bharatiya Jajata Party (BJP). Anil Kumar was once considered a disciple (sishya) of Patnaik, who has been dominating the political landscape of Berhampur for the last three decades.
After two terms as councillor in Berhampur, Anil Kumar had worked as a representative for the then MLA Chyay Patnaik for a long time. Anil Kumar had severed ties with BJD alleging neglect after 2019. He was earlier elected as councillor twice as an independent candidate in 2003 and 2008.
Known for his organisational skills and political acumen, Chyau Patnaik was elected MLA for five times, including once as Janata Dal candidate in 1995. However, the ruling BJD replaced Chyau Patnaik in 2019 Assembly elections in Berhampur seat and nominated Bikram Panda, who had joined the regional party after quitting Congress. While Panda been fielded for Gopalpur for 2024 polls, the veteran leader has been brought back in his home turf this time as BJD is keen to retain the seat by using his experience and skills.
As Anil Kumar was closely associated with the seasoned leader for many years, he is very well aware of the strategies adopted by the ruling party. He knows their organisational strength as well as weakness. Chyau Patnaik claims that Anil Kumar was given enough opportunity to work in the ruling party but he decided to part ways and enter BJP.
On the other hand, Anil Kumar says he was a disciplined worker in BJD and worked as per instructions given by the party. He said he was given the responsibility of election management in Berhampur in 2014 when Chyau Patnaik was campaigning on a wheel chair because of his health condition. “Like a dedicated and disciplined worker, I had supervised the entire polls and ensured party’s victory in the constituency,” he said, adding that he was sidelined by BJD after 2019 elections.
Once considered a Congress bastion, Berhampur Assembly seat subsequently slipped out of its control after BJD tightened its grip over the politically important constituency. Independent candidates have also scripted success in the constituency on a few occasions.
However, BJP is yet achieve victory in Berhampur. The saffron party, which was earlier in fourth position, has now jumped to number two spot in the segment. BJP’s organisational base has been strengthened further after Pradeep Panigarhi joined the saffron party recently. Pradeep, who had been expelled from the ruling BJD, has been fielded by BJP from Berhampur Lok Sabha seat for the ensuing elections. It is to be seen which party emerges victorious in ‘Guru-Sishya’ fight in Berhampur.
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