Despite a strong wave in favour of BJD and its supremo Naveen Patnaik, the party got only two Assembly seats out of seven in Sundargarh district. Much to its disappointment, even the Parliament seat of Sundargarh went to BJP.
While in Rajgangpur, BJD veteran Mangala Kissan won by a margin of 10,036 votes, in Raghunathpali, sitting MlA and Minister Subrat Tarai won by a margin of 16,041votes.
It is definite that Naveen would be in dilemma while forming the Cabinet due to a huge number of MlAs. But while considering the undivided district quota, either Tarai or Kissan may find a chance in his ministry.
Arguing in favour of Tarai, his followers said the former is in good book of BJD boss Patnaik since he performed well as a Minister. Moreover, since BJP heavyweight Dilip Ray has won from Rourkela seat, the BJD chief would like to keep a leader of high stature here so that it would come handy during the future elections for Rourkela urban local body. And, it is Tarai as a Minister who can counter Ray, argued his supporters.
But Kissan’s supporters have a different take. They claimed that Kissan is a senior member and experienced politician of the district. He has a good image in the whole of Sundargarh and strong clout among the tribals. Besides, they said Tarai had got a ministerial berth by accident after Sarada’s removal. But this time, Patnaik has an alternative in the form of Kissan. Again, if Tarai gets a berth, it would be junior one but in case of Kissan, it would be a senior and more important berth, said
his supporters.