Politics in the Paradip Assembly constituency has reportedly warmed up with fast-changing equations. A newbie made her entry into the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in this segment on Sunday, making the race for ticket more competitive amid speculations about multiple ticket hopefuls.
Congress leader Bapi Sarkhel’s wife Monidipa Sarkhel joined the BJD at the party office in Bhubaneswar. Her entry has added a twist to the politics in this pocket when her husband is working as general secretary of the Congress. Her entry is said to have thrown a challenge for incumbent MLA Sambit Routray, who is aspiring for a party ticket for him or his wife Gitanjali.
Paradip Assembly seat is considered a fort of former MLA Damodar Rout’s family. As per reports, some disgruntled party leaders have allegedly thrashed out a strategy to snap power from the Rout family.
Monidipa has been active in politics since the 2017 panchayat elections. She has been looking after meetings of party workers, labourers and booth organisation. On the other hand, his husband Bapi, though in Congress, is said to be keeping himself off from the party activities for some years.
Speaking to the media, Monidipa said, ”I am certainly hoping for a party ticket. But the party will decide who will be given the ticket.”
On the other hand, as for ticket aspiration, Sambit said, ”I have always said when hopes die, the man dies then. Anybody, be it me or you, can hope for better things. But all decision in this regard lies with the Chief Minister.”
For the last few days, it was speculated that Sambit’s wife Gitanjali has been in the race for a party ticket in Paradip. In the 2019 elections, Gitnajlai had campaigned for her husband.
Moreover, Sambit’s sister Preetinanda Routray who is a corporator in Bhubaneswar, is reportedly hopeful of a party ticket for the seat.
Preetinanda said, ”The party will decide that. No matter who is given a ticket, I will be happy. If my brother is given a ticket I will be happy. If I am given a ticket, I will be happy.“
Political analyst Prashant Rout said, ”It was earlier heard that either Sambit’s sister or his wife would be given a ticket if the seat was reserved for women. However, some disgruntled leaders want to checkmate the family. Monidipa’s entry into the BJD has added fuel to the fire.”
This development has come at a time when the BJD in Paradip is allegedly split due to infighting. In the last 15 days, disgruntled leaders held three rounds of meetings against the MLA. They have openly raised their voice against the MLA and warned the party against giving a ticket to anyone from the family.
Paradip’s BJD unit president Basant Biswal is leading the faction group against the MLA and is also a ticket hopeful.