In coming general elections, a tough, triangular fight between Congress, BJP and BJD for Sundargarh Parliament seat is almost certain.

Despite Naveen’s wave in the State, the BJP had won the Sundargarh Parliament seat for the first time in 2014 fighting without any alliance but this time the situation unlike the last election is not so favourable. It must be admitted that after Dilip Ray quitted the BJP, the party organization has rather gone weak.

Despite becoming the MP and Tribal Welfare Minister in the Centre, Jual Oram has not done any remarkable achievement for the district; rather, he has put himself in trouble due to his attitude and statements in previous days. But despite all these odds, the party will put all its efforts to retain the seat again.

Similarly, many Congress leaders have already left the party and the latest one being Sundargarh MLA Jogesh Singh. But the biggest consolation for the party is joining of noted tribal leader and Biramitrapur MLA George Tirkey joining the Congress. Besides, there is every probability of Congress’s alliance with CPI (M) and the JMM who have sizeable vote share in the district which would play a decisive role in election. So definitely, the Congress is in an advantageous situation.

Similarly, many leaders of other parties have already joined the BJD.

But the only problem for the party here is how to tackle the dissidents as the party is overcrowded with leaders and aspirants here.

While it is almost certain that George will be Congress candidate, Jual will be of BJP for Sundargarh Parliament seat, it is not certain who will be the BJD candidate.

Because since the formation of BJD, the party had for the first time sponsored a candidate in Sundargarh Parliament seat in 2014 election.

The party had sponsored hockey icon and the then Rajya Sabha MP Dilip Tirkey as its candidate. It was expected that as Sundargarh youths are hockey lovers which would help Dilip. But despite Naveen’s wave, Dilip lost while in all other 20 seats, the BJD won.

After losing the election, Dilip is not seen in any political activities. Even though he is nominated as the Chairman of State Tourism Corporation he is not able to perform any eye catching political activities. So it is being talked in the political circle if the BJD boss will take the risk again fielding Dilip in 2019 election or will he put a new face.

However, the joining of the BJD by senior leader and activist of the district Bijay Toppo on February 22 has given a new twist. Toppo was earlier in Congress and had contested as MLA nominee from Raghunathpalli constituency in 1995 and lost. Earlier to that, he was a Professor in Rourkela Government College.

After leaving Congress he was also in BJP for some period. Despite this he has been in the limelight in the whole district due to his role in Birsa Munda Statue Committee and celebration of Amco-Simco day. Besides, he has a good clutch among the Christian community and churches having a considerable vote size in the district.

Though Toppo says he is an ordinary member of the party and will work as per the responsibility entrusted on him by the party boss but many of his close aides say after getting assurance of MP ticket, Toppo has joined the party. On the other hand, certain supporters of Dilip are not taking the joining of Toppo easily. So allotting the party ticket may be a tough task for the BJD boss, feel many political pundits here.