Bhubaneswar: Speculation is rife about former chairperson of State Commission for Women Lopamudra Baxipatra being finalised as BJD candidate for mayor in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.
According to BJD sources, there have been multiple rounds of discussion on a list of names, which include Susmita Bagchi, a noted writer and Chairperson of ‘Mo School’ programme, Iti Samanta, a writer and journalist and sister of party’s Kandhamal MP Achyuta Samanta, and chairperson of Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) Shreemayee Mishra, and an announcement is likely to be made soon.
Earlier, there was a buzz about Shreemayee Mishra making the cut.
The names of BJD spokesperson Sulata Deo, transgender leader Meera Parida and Rosalin Patasani, daughter of former Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Kumar Patasani, were also discussed.
The top bosses are thoroughly weighing the pros and cons of all aspirants keeping in view the possibility of a keen contest in Bhubaneswar between BJD and BJP for the mayor’s post, for which direct elections will be held on March 24.
The sources further said the party doesn’t want to take chances in Bhubaneswar considering that sitting MP Aparajita Sarangi is from BJP. She won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections though the saffron party lost in all the seven constituent assembly seats. “If the BJD does well in the corporators’ elections and loses the Mayor post then it could cause embarrassment. We would certainly not want that to happen. Hence the party is doing maximum exercise before deciding on its contender for mayor,” said a BJD leader.
Notably, Congress became the first party to announce Madhusmita Acharya as its candidate for Mayor candidate for Bhubaneswar.
Also Read: Madhusmita Acharya Is Congress’ Bhubaneswar Mayor Candidate
Odisha Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson and general secretary Lekhasri Samantsinghar and leading Ollywood actress and party’s state executive committee member Anu Choudhury are reportedly in the race for the party ticket for the seat, sources said.
Also Read: Lekhashri Vs Anu Choudhury In BJP Bhubaneswar Mayor Ticket Duel
Filing of nomination for the election to 106 ULBs, including 47 municipalities and 49 NACs, and three municipal corporations began on March 2 and will continue till March 7. Scrutiny of the nomination papers will be held on March 9 and withdrawal of nomination papers will be allowed up to March 14.
