High-stakes battle between BJP and BJD in block chairperson & vice-chairperson by-elections

Following BJD’s debacle in the last General Elections in Odisha, the Opposition party will lock horns with the ruling BJP once again in the upcoming by-elections for the vacant chairperson and vice-chairperson posts in as many as six blocks on August 22.

Earlier, all these seats were won by BJD-supported candidates. However, the situation has changed completely after the last General Elections. With pride at stake, both parties are leaving no stone unturned in preparing suitable strategies to seal victories.

Apart from the block chairperson and vice-chairperson posts, a by-election will also be conducted for the Zilla Parishad Chairperson post in Kendrapara.

Earlier, a BJD-supported candidate was in power in the Kukudakhandi block under the Digapahandi Assembly constituency of Ganjam district. However, after the demise of the block Chairman, the by-election was necessitated.  It has been learnt that as many as seven among the total of 12 Samiti members will support the BJP. Under this circumstance, the saffron party-supported candidate is most likely to emerge winner of the seat.

However, Khallikote block is likely to witness a tough contest between both parties. Similar situations might be witnessed in Narla block in Kalahandi district, Raighar block in Nabarangpur district and Bhapur block in Nayagarh district. As per several political experts, it will be difficult to predict the winners in these blocks.

BJD was in power in Narla block. However, the current situation has completely changed. Following the resignation of BJD’s Nabina Nayak, while BJD has the support of 18 samiti members the BJP has the support of six samiti members. However, BJP may take advantage of the inner squabble within BJD.

On the other hand, the situation is very much complicated for the saffron party in Bhapur block. Former Chairman of the block Sabitri Pradhan has claimed that she has support from as many as 17 of the total 20 samiti members.

“People have now realized that BJP has hijacked the governance by doing false propaganda. BJD’s victories are certain in Khallikote and Kukudakhandi,” said Ganjam district BJD President Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik.

“We have our organisation in the areas. We will try our best to put up a good performance there,” said Congress leader Sagar Das.

Meanwhile, after the resignation of Gitanjali Sethi from BJD, the Zilla Parishad Chairperson post of the Kendrapara district has been lying vacant. A tough contest is expected between both parties for the ensuing by-election.

Under the circumstances, state-level leaders of both parties have planned to join the electioneering. The political landscape in the State has changed completely after the BJP toppled BJD to form the government after 24 years.

As per political experts, BJD will find it tough to cope with the inner squabble. Moreover, it will not be easy for the party to fight the election by motivating their workers post-defeat. On the other hand, despite coming to power, it will be a tough task for the ruling BJP to win the by-elections for the vacant block chairperson and vice-chairperson posts as the party has less number of Sarpanchs and Samiti members. However, the saffron party may take solace from the fact that many BJD-supported Sarpanchs and samiti members are switching their allegiance to BJP after the last General Elections.

“BJD has full support in some seats. The party will script victories in those seats,” said BJD leader Ganeswar Behera.

“BJD is going to disintegrate soon. Several Samiti members are eager to be with the BJP. Under such circumstances, BJP-supported candidates will emerge winners in all the seats,” said BJP leader, Biranchi Narayan Tripathy.