Koraput: The forthcoming Assembly elections in Pottangi of Odisha’s Koraput district is likely to witness a tough battle with two poll veterans and a previous contender in the fray.
Former MLAs Prafulla Pangi and Rama Chandra Kadam are the nominees of BJD and Congress respectively, while the BJP has fielded Chaitanya Nandibali, also a known face of the constituency.
Kadam has won the seat twice (1995 and 2009) and Pangi in 2014. The BJD, however, replaced Pangi with Pritam Padhi who retained the seat for the party in 2019 by defeating Kadam by 4,000 votes.
While the Congress decided to continue with Kadam, the BJD brought back Pangi into the electoral battle in the upcoming election from the seat reserved for ST category candidates. The duo are now seeking votes on basis of work done of them during their stints as legislators.
BJP candidate Nandibali, on the other hand, was earlier with the BJD but entered the poll fray in 2019 elections as an independent candidate after being denied ticket by the regional party. He finished fourth and could secure only 8,238 votes.
Notably, the saffron party had earlier named Chaitanya Hantal, who belongs to SC category, for Pottangi Assembly constituency by mistake. Nandibali’s candidature was announced on April 16. He may not be a popular face in Pottangi’s BJP circle but is associated with several organisations in the constituency and also well-connected with the people.
Also Read: Party Hoppers, Ex-MLAs In BJP’s 2nd List For Odisha Assembly Polls; 2 Nominees Changed
Will Pottangi vote for a change in 2024 or the constituency will continue to see a two-way fight between BJD and Congress?
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