Though BJD nominee for the Kandhamal lok Sabha seat Hemendra Singh is new for the district so far as politics is concerned, he has organisational support with him in the constituency, but it will not be sufficient for him to win the race.
The fight for the Kandhamal lS seat looks to be mainly between Singh and BJP candidate Sukant Panigrahi, who has strong grassroots level support and RSS backing with him.The other two major contestants are Harihar Karan of the Congress and Independent candidate lambodar Kanhar.Hemendra Singh is yet to satisfy and persuade most of the local BJD leaders like Saroj Karma. Harihar Karan too is reportedly not getting adequate support from Congress workers. He too does not have a strong organisation in the district.Similarly, in the Phulbani Assembly seat, the contest will mainly be between Debnarayan Pradhan of the BJP and Duguni Kanhar of the BJD. Pradhan had last time narrowly lost the seat. Kanhar is facing difficulties as many of his party leaders like former MlA Budha Kanhar are not supporting him.