At a time when the date for Jharsuguda by-election is yet to be announced, the political climate has begun to heat up with assassinated BJD leader Naba Das’ daughter, Dipali Das starting her 'campaigning' and state BJP secretary Tankadhara Tripathy going all out to show his strength.
Dipali is said to have started her election campaigning on February 16 when she inaugurated an ambulance service in Jharsuguda. There after she was seen organising International Women’s Day in Jharsuguda and Laikera. Later, she along with her brother Bishal Das was seen in attending several meetings.
A confident Dipali said she will carry forward her father’s legacy.
“This is not the first time that we (she and her brother) are doing it. Earlier too, we were participating in programmes. In no way, it is linked to the bypoll. But, we are ready to face any by-election. Bishal Das and Dipali Das will jointly carry forward the legacy of Naba Das,” said Dipali.
On the other hand, BJP leader Tankadhara Tripathy is pulling all stops to energise the party workers. He gheraoed Jharsuguda Municipality on March 16, Laikera block office on March 17 and Kirimira block office on March 18 in protest against deep-rooted corruption in the constituency.
Political pundits are of the opinion that he is doing the necessary ground works for the coming by-election.
“A party is ruling for 23 years. An MLA ruled here for 15 years. Considering this, the facilities people should have received are missing. In past, we fought for people’s rights. We are fighting for them today as well. Ours is not the party that gets up from its deep slumber at the time of the election. We are a 365 days party,” said Tankadhara.
At the same time, the grand old party Congress is also not behind in working out strategies for the by-election.
“We have five aspirants in our party. We will all support him whom the PCC president gives ticket. Our preparation is in full swing,” said Siyaram Das, District Congress Vice President, Jharsuguda.
Meanwhile, 50 days have passed since minister Naba Das was murdered. The main accused Gopal Das is behind the bars. To extricate the truth from him, Narco-Analysis Test has also been carried out. But the investigating agency, Crime Branch, is yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder.
With the political climate getting charged up, the episode of Naba Das murder case is slowly fading away.
“While the motive behind murder of Naba Das is yet to be established, the deceased leader’s daughter is carrying out campaigning,” said Samarendra Roy, a Kolabira resident.
Echoing the same, Sabita Pradhan, a Jharsuguda resident said, “We would like to request the state government to find out the motive behind the murder of Naba Das. Then the parties will decide about their candidates. It is not going down well with the people that Dipali Das and Tankadhara Tripathy are carrying out campaigning in their capacities.
(Reported by Bhagirathi Pradhan and Debendra Behera, OTV)