The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced Goutam Samantaray as its candidate for Jeypore Assembly seat in Koraput district on Sunday. He was pitted against Congress candidate Tara Prasad Bahinipati. The Biju Janata Dal(BJD) has fielded Indira Nanda in this seat.
Speaking to OTV, Goutam sounded optimistic about the BJP’s victory and said, ”Those who have been doing dynastic politics for a long time will be given a fitting reply by people this time. The winds of change are blowing. Our dedicated party workers have started their groundwork to ensure the party’s victory.“
Asserting that the BJP organisation is strong in Jeypore Assembly seat, he observed that the BJP workers never take the rest till the people at the bottom line get their rights and benefits.
“From booth level to the block level, thousands of party workers are always active to serve people. Hence, common people are going to hand out victory to the BJP in the upcoming election,” he said.
As per reports, Goutam had contested the election in the seat in 2019. Though he got third position, the vote share of the BJP had gone up as compared to 2014. He had polled over 33,000 votes in 2019 and since then the BJP has been carrying out its organizational activities.
Sources said, after the BJD snapped ties with the BJP in 2009, it is seen that the vote share of the BJP has been steadily rising in the seat. Given three strong candidates and the changing political scenario, the seat is expected to see a triangular contest this time.
Sources said, two other BJP leaders like Sudhansu Jena and Himansu Mohapatra were aspiring for a ticket in the seat this time.
Despite Goutam's debacle, the BJP has again banked on his candidature this time. The two leaders have not reacted as yet on his renomination. However, the BJP workers and functionaries are enthused after Goutam's renomination to fight the poll again, reports said.