With infighting, mudslinging and leg-pulling going intense among the aspirants for ticket in BJD in most of the Assembly seats ahead of the 2024 simultaneous elections in Kendrapada district, political observers said this is going to take its toll on the BJD's winning prospect if the ruling party doesn't nip the problem in the bud.
Take the case of Patkura Assembly segment. Here, ruling BJD has been divided in groups. The infighting has been going on between district BJD president Utkal Keshari Parida and Sanjay Agrawalla, son of MLA Sabitri Agrawalla and former MLA and Minister late Bed Prakash Agrawalla. Whereas Sanjay and his sister have started their field preparation aiming to get ticket from BJD, former Chairman of Derabish block, Saroj Sahu is also aspiring to get ticket from BJD for Patkura Assembly seat. Besides, Chairman, Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation and State secretary (Youth Affairs) BJD, Amaresh Patri, elder brother of Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak,Santanu Nayak, former Chariman Derabish block Saroj Sahu, Rabi Samal, Ajay Rout and Kanaklata Kantha are also in the race for the BJD ticket from Patkura.
If BJD decides to nominate a new face then Amaresh Patri and Santanu Nayak are the probable ones, said observers. But Bijay Mohapatra factor is quite significant as he and his son Arabinda Mohapatra, might be a deciding factor for whoever wins from the seat. Both the father- son duo could change the equation of Patkura Assembly segment as they have their own diehard supporters.
The political observers opined that the BJD is in touch with Arabinda, son of Bijay, to take him to their fold and he might be given the ticket from BJD to contest the upcoming polls. Arabinda has been waiting for the decision of his father in this regard.
Even there are talks round the corner that Bijay’s homecoming to BJD with his son could take place. They might agree to join the BJD if Bijay is given ticket for Kendrapada and his son for Patkura.