Finally, BJP has declared former Union Minister Dilip Ray as its MLA candidate for Rourkela Assembly seat for the 2024 simultaneous elections in the State.
Of course, it was presumed from the day Ray knocked on the door of the Delhi High Court, seeking a stay order on his three years’ conviction pronounced by the CBI Court in October 2020 for his alleged involvement as Union Minister of State for Coal in irregularities of coal block allotment in Jharkhand. But it was always in suspense whether he would prefer a ticket from BJD or BJP. However, the speculation was put to an end after BJD declared sitting MLA and Minister Sarada Prasad Nayak as its candidate for Rourkela on April 5.
With Ray getting the ticket from BJP, it is clear that a big fight between BJD and BJP is in the offing. Congress is not in the race and it would struggle to retain the security. So, now the talk in the city is who would make the record by winning for the fourth term in Rourkela as both Nayak and Ray have won thrice each as MLA.
Ray won in 1985, 1990 and 2014 while Nayak won from the seat in 2004, 2009 and 2019. The only difference is Nayak has been participating in electoral politics since 2000 while Ray after the shameful defeat in1995 was virtually inactive till 2014. Though he became MLA in 2014 by defeating Nayak but before completing the tenure he resigned from the post and primary membership of BJP as his repeated demands for Rourkela were not fulfilled by the Modi Government at the Centre. His slogan then was ‘mati aga, party pachha’ (first soil, then party). Since then, he has remained in the wilderness.
Now after getting relief of ‘stay’ of his punishment of 3 years imprisonment and Rs 10 lakh fine (sentenced by CBI Court on October 6, 2020) by Delhi High Court, he has succeeded to obtain a ticket from BJP to contest from Rourkela seat. So, once again Rourkela will witness the replica of 2014 as both Nayak and Ray are powerful leaders and key contenders. But in comparison to 2014, the battle of 2024 will be stiffer, feel many political experts here.
According to them due to the incident of May 29, 2012 (Pyaribabu’s coup bid where Nayak was allegedly with Pyari), Nayak was quite defamed and he had many oppositions in his party. Though he patiently continued his political activities and succeeded to win the confidence of party boss and obtained the ticket, but taking advantage of the situation and cashing in on the advantage of BJD rebellions and Modi-wave, Ray got elected in 2014. Despite losing the election, Nayak never left politics or Rourkela. Rather, he continued his activities more vibrantly for which he again won in 2029 and is now a Minister.
On the other hand, after winning the 2014 election, Ray was available in the city on very rare occasions and resigned from the position of MLA on November 30, 2018. He also sent a joint resignation with Bijay Mohapatra from the party. "It is with deep anguish that I have decided to quit as the member of State Legislative Assembly as well as from the membership of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)," Ray said in a twitter post at that time.
Even putting the Prime Minister in dock, he said due to the nonfulfillment of promises made by Modi regarding two important projects of 2nd Brahmani bridge and upgradation of Ispat General Hospital to a Medical College and Super Specialty Hospital during his election campaign in Rourkela, the party as well as he himself (Ray) became a liar before the Rourkela people. So, considering his priority of ‘mati’ (soil), he quit the party. Even in the 2019 election, he had played a passive role for BJD. But suddenly arriving at Rourkela on April 10, he said he is still in the BJP as his resignation was not accepted.
