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With the Brajarajnagar Assembly seat lying vacant since the demise of sitting MLA Kishore Mohanty, a race for the Biju Janata Dal ticket has already been started.
Given the party’s strategy, Kishore Mohanty’s wife Alaka may get the ticket. However, it has also been discussed that Health Minister Naba Das’s daughter Deepali Das is aspiring to get the ticket.
Jharsuguda, which witnessed the political rivalry between Kishore and Naba, is all set to see a fight between Alaka and Deepali.
In the recent times, Deepali has been appearing in a number of programmes. She was last seen at an ambulance inauguration event on International Women’s Day at Lakhanpur under Brajarajnagar Assembly constituency. From these, it has been speculated that Deepali has been endearing herself to the public to win their trust.
On the other hand, during ULB elections, Alaka had for the first time announced in the media that she has a desire to fulfill her husband’s unfulfilled wishes.
“If the party choose me and give me an opportunity to join direct politics, I will be able to fulfill my husband’s wishes,” Alka had said.
When asked, Deepali said, “I can’t say anything about who will get the party ticket. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will take the final call in this regard.”
Meanwhile, the political temperature is soaring in Lakhanpur with the supporters of Alaka and Deepali taking the sides of their respective choices.
“The people of Brajarajnagar want to see Deepali as their next MLA,” said Lakhanpur’s former block chairman Goutam Pradhan.
A Brajarajnagar resident, Parikshit Mishra said Alaka Mohnaty should get the ticket.
When asked, Minister Das said the matter is completely a party affair. “Chief Minister will take decision in this regard. But, the people of Jharsuguda will shower their love on anyone the party chooses as the next MLA of Brajarajnagar,” Das said.
Kishore Mohanty had died on December 30, last year. As per the rule, the by-election to a vacant seat should be held within six months.
