Sitting MlA and BJD nominee Ranedra Pratap (Raja) Swain is facing a tough challenge from both of his Congress and BJP rivals this time. As the electorates here are for a change, veteran Swain may not find it easy to win the current polls, say poll observers.
Swain has represented Athagarh for a long period of over 24 years. But this time, the popular mood is somewhat different. The Modi wave is strong here and hence, BJP candidates are likely to take its advantage in the current polls. Besides, a strong anti-incumbency factor is working against Swain.
Swain’s support base has eroded because of large scale corruptions in several projects here.Besides, the henchmen of Swain have unleashed a reign of terror in the area and have not spared anybody when their interest was affected.Goondaism and misrule have ruled the roost. The MlA’s people also forcibly collected funds from the Government officials, businessmen and others. Several mediapersons were framed in SC/ST cases, while Government officials were terrorised.
Wife of a former PWD JE said that her husband’s blood pressure was high due to scare of Swain’s men.BJP candidate Biswasundar Mishra, on the other hand, is getting increasing support everywhere he goes for poll campaigning. Congress’s Bichitrananda Muduli, a retired engineer, is also getting good response from the voters. Hence, a triangular fight is on between the BJD, BJP and Congress candidates.