The stage for the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC)’s first woman mayor post has already been set with three contenders from as many main political parties — Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress — getting themselves armed for the fight ahead.
These are the three candidates who have thrown their hats into the ring:
Sulochana Das: Das is the Biju Janata Dal (BJD)’s pick for the BMC’s Mayor post. Here are some key facts about Das:
- Educational Qualifications:
Early Education: Binjharpur Village School
Graduation: Bhadrak College
Post Graduation: Master In Economics from Ravenshaw University
Other Qualifications: Master in Journalism and Mass Communication, LLB
- Initial Career: Journalism
- Initial Political Career: Das began her political career with the Congress. In 2017, she left the grand old party to join the Biju Janata Dal.
- Posts held: BJD Spokesperson and State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities
- Assets: Das has assets valued at Rs26,32,816 while her husband Prafulla Das has assets worth Rs71,27,522. Her husband owns a flat at. Nanda Devi VIP Enclave at Chandrasekharpur in Bhubaneswar, which is valued at around Rs 85 lakh. Das has no plot or land in his name. She owns an Activa scooter and her husband, a Renault Duster car.
Suniti Mund: The Bharaitya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Mund as its Mayoral candidate for the BMC. She is an author, columnist, editor, publisher, producer and director.
Here are some key facts about Mund:
Mund is a native of Nuapada district.
- Educational Qualifications:
Mund did her MA (Odia) from Bhawanipatna College under Sambalpur University
PG Diploma in Journalism & Mass Communication from IIMMC
PG Diploma in Rural Development from IGNOU, Delhi
Hindi Ratna from Rastra Vasha, Wardha
- Current position: Chairperson of Institute of Literature, Dakshya Foundation; Managing Director of Dakshya Venture Private Limited, publisher of Dakshya Books, editor of Dakshya and Tanuja magazines
- Assets: Mund is the second richest Mayor candidate. She has assets worth Rs 1,08,02,671. While her bank deposits and savings standing at 12,02,671. She owns a flat at Jharpada area in Bhubaneswar worth around Rs 60 lakh. She also owns a patch of land (around Rs18 lakh) and a Maruti Suzuki car.
Madhusmita Acharya: The grand old party Congress has pitted Acharya against BJD’s Sulochana Das and BJP’s Suniti Mund.
Here are some key facts about Acharya:
- Qualification:
Plus II: Maharshi College of Natural Law, Bhubaneswar
Graduation: Kamla Nehru Women’s College, Bhubaneswar
Post-Graduation: Arts
Other qualification: MBA in Cosmetology
- Political Career: Former students' union president of Kamala Nehru Women's College. Daughter-in-law of former Congress MLA from Dharamsala, Kangali Charan Panda.
- Assets: Acharya has assets worth Rs 12,31,506 and her husband’s assets stand at Rs 82,100.