Jharsuguda Bypoll: BJD, Congress eye ‘sympathy votes’; BJP yet to name candidate

The countdown for the much-awaited Jharsuguda byelection has begun. The bypoll was necessitated by the murder of Odisha Health Minister and Jharsuguda MLA, Naba Kishore Das. The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has roped in deceased Naba Das' daughter Dipali as its candidate for the Jharsuguda bypoll, which is scheduled to be held on May 10.

Similarly, the Congress on Monday named Tarun Pandey as its candidate. Both BJD and Congress are now trying to garner ‘sympathy votes’ as the candidates of both parties had recently lost their fathers. Tarun is the son of former Jharsuguda MLA Biren Pandey, who passed away last month. The former MLA was elected to the Odisha Assembly thrice on a Congress ticket in 1980, 1985 and 1995.

“My father had a huge base and has done a lot of work during his time. I believe that I will get sympathy votes and win the bypoll,” said Tarun.

Similarly, BJD heavyweight leader Naba Das was also assassinated on January 29 by an assistant sub-inspector, who was subsequently dismissed from service. Both BJD and Congress believe that the sympathy votes will certainly go in favour of their respective parties.

“One has lost her father and certainly we will get some sympathy votes here as what happened in Brajanagar. But development is the main agenda of the party,” said senior BJD leader, Debi Mishra.

Even though BJD is a step ahead in comparison with its rivals as far as organising things at the ground level is concerned, party infighting seems to have emerged as a major concern for both the ruling party and the Congress.

After BJD picked Dipali as its candidate for the bypoll, the BJD vice president of Laikira block and district BJD secretary, Sukanti Jaipuria expressed dissatisfaction.

“I have been working for the party for the last 22 years and I was hoping to become a candidate. But I feel neglected by the party,” said Sukanti.

Sukanti is presently the sarpanch of Sahaspura panchayat and she was hoping to get party ticket for the bypoll. After being denied, she is now holding meetings with activists who are also dissatisfied with the decision.

Not only BJD, infighting is also a cause of concern for the Congress as Mahendra Nayak, who had contested the 2019 elections on party ticket, has indirectly expressed his dissatisfaction over the candidature of Tarun Pandey.

“I have been working for tribals and have their support. Whether I am in BJD, BJP, or Congress, I cannot leave the tribals,” said Nayak.

Though BJP is yet to announce its candidate for the Jharsuguda bypoll, the names of several leaders including Tankadhar Tripathy, Dinesh Jain, Trinath Gayal are doing rounds. Even as Tankadhar Tripathy seems to be much ahead in the race as of now, the party is yet to finalise the name of the candidate as it is trying to set all equations right first.

BJP state president Manmohan Samal, on the other hand, clearly stated that there is absolutely no confusion within the party.

“There is no confusion in the party. Our Parliamentary Board and Election Committee meeting was held and discussion is on for Karnataka and other states where Assembly and bypolls are scheduled to be held. The candidate will be announced soon,” said Samal.