Bhubaneswar: With election fever gradually warming up across Odisha, surprise move of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in nominating new entrant Manmath Routray from the prestigious Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency has raised many eye brows in political circles.
Manmath, son of veteran Congress leader and Jatani MLA Suresh Routray, has been pitted by the regional party against sitting MP of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Aparajita Sarangi. While his entry into the poll fray has given a twist to the prevailing equations, many wonder as to whether Manmath would be able to effectively take on the firebrand BJP Parliamentarian, a former IAS officer.
While the state capital is all set to witness an interesting battle between a former bureaucrat and an ex-pilot, no one can be sure whether BJD’s move will bring gains for the ruling party. His presence in the battlefield appears to have changed the entire configuration in the constituency, where Aparajita had defeated BJD nominee and former IPS officer Arup Patnaik in 2019 elections. One has to wait and see whether Congress vote will go in favour of Manmath.
Political observers are of the view that the Naveen Patnaik-led party has taken a well-calculated step by fielding the son of firebrand Congress leader Suresh Routray. The regional party seeks to place a formidable challenge before Aparajita and bag substantial Congress votes too. Jatani in Khurda district continues to be a stronghold of Suresh Routray, who has won six elections from the Assembly segment. Apart from having impressive organising skills, the Jatani MLA has built a very good rapport with the electorate.
Apart from Jatani, the Congress leader has a very strong support base in Ekamra Assembly constituency in Bhubaneswar. He has been maintaining close ties with the people of Jatani, Khurda, Begunia and other areas under Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency through his well-knit network.
However, observers are closely watching all political activities to see whether Manmath will be able to translate his father’s base into votes in his favour. All eyes are on Suresh Routray’s move. People are waiting to see whether he will openly campaign in support of Manmath despite being in Congress or will do it indirectly.
BJD will make all out efforts to use reported opposition that has built up against Aparajita in the last five years in the constituency. While Manmath is a political novice, the ruling party is banking on his clean image to regain control over Bhubaneswar.
However, it will certainly turn out to be an uphill task for the ruling BJD to effectively counter Aparajita. BJD had won Lok Sabha polls from Bhubaneswar in 1998, 1999 and 2004 when it was in alliance with BJP. After parting ways with BJP, the regional party also registered victories in the prestigious constituency in 2009 and 2014. BJD’s Prasanna Patsani had won the seat five times before the regional party fielded former Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik in 2019 elections. He was defeated by BJP’s Aparajita, though BJD won six of the seven Assembly seats under Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituencies.
