Odisha Rajya Sabha Polls: Know The Rationale Behind Naveen Patnaik’s Picks

Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal ( BJD) president Naveen Patnaik has attempted a balancing act by playing the woman, OBC, media, tribal and minority cards in picking candidates – Sulata Deo, Manas Ranjan Mangaraj, Sasmit Patra and Niranjan Bishi – for the four vacant Rajya Sabha seats from Odisha.

Sulata Deo has served the party for a long time and has also been a spokesperson. Though she was denied a party ticket for Bari during the 2019 election, the BJD supremo rewarded her loyalty by choosing her over other women aspirants. The power corridors were abuzz with the names of OTDC Chairperson Srimayee Mishra and ‘Mo School’ Chairperson Susmita Bagchi. But Naveen chose Deo, who has been the advisor to the women and child development department since 2019.

Manas Mangaraj, who was the Congress candidate for Chilika Assembly seat in the 2014 election, joined BJD in 2018. He has since been handling the BJD and subsequently the state government’s media affairs. He has been rewarded for his loyalty and media management. He also looks after Nandighosha TV channel and Sakala newspaper, which are supported by the BJD. He represents the OBC face in the party nomination for the Upper House.

Also Read: BJD Announces Candidates For 4 Vacant Rajya Sabha Seats From Odisha

The surprise package has come in the shape of Niranjan Bishi, who heads a tribal organisation named Paschima Odisha Adivasi Kalyan Sangha. It has a good presence in Balangir, Kalahandi, Sambalpur and other western Odisha districts. He has been drafted in to strengthen the party base in western Odisha, where BJD faces challenge from the Opposition BJP and Congress. His inclusion in BJD two days ago had raised eyebrows but Sunday’s announcement has made clear Naveen’s plans. Bishi can help counter both BJP’s K V Singhdeo and his MP wife Sangeeta Singhdeo and newly-appointed OPCC president Sarat Patnaik and Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra.

Sasmit Patra, on his part, performed impressively during his Rajya Sabha stint and has been a lead party spokesperson for quite some time. He represents the youthful face of the party and is from the minority community. His renomination was expected considering his proximity to the ruling coterie.

Going by regional representation, Bishi is from western Odisha while Sulata is from undivided Cuttack (coastal Odisha). Mangaraj is from Balugaon in Khurda, which is also coastal Odisha but with a history of Gadajat (princely states). Sasmit is a native of Kandhamal-Gajapati region in southern Odisha.

Hence, Naveen has considered both community, cadre and regional factors while selecting the BJD candidates for the RS polls, scheduled on June 10 and June 13. The BJD which has 112 MLAs is expected to win all four seats up for grabs with the Opposition unlikely to field any candidate.