Angul district has five Assembly constituencies. The Pallahara Assembly constituency consists of all gram pachayats (GP) of Pallahara Block and the Balipasi, Kuluma, Rengali, Susuba, Arkil, Gandamula, Bajrakote, Hanumanpur, Dalaka, Karnapal, Parabil, Burukuna, Kulei, Deranga, Kakudia, Talapada, Biru, Hariharapur and Samal GPs of Kaniha Block.
BJD won from the seat in 2009 and 2014. BJD replaced Rabi Pani by Mahesh Sahoo in 2014 Assembly poll. Interestingly, there was only fall of 3.4 per cent votes of the BJD. While BJD vote share was 37 .9 per cent in 2009, it went down to 34.59 per cent only. Thereafter, Mahesh Sahu has consolidated his base. Though Petroleum Minister Dhamendra Pradhan, who was defeated by BJD’s Rabi Pani in 2009 Assembly poll in Pallahara, got 32.9 per cent votes, his successor in BJP against BJD’s Sahu also got 30.46 per cent votes in 2014, indicating BJP’s organizational strength as second competitor here. INC had 19.6 per cent votes in 2009 Assembly poll, which dropped to 14.45 per cent in 2014 after changing its candidate. Thus INC has become baseless here.
Though all the three parties changed their candidates in 2014, there was no change in their position, with BJD in number one, followed by BJP in number two and Congress in third position. All the three MlA contestants are also conducting the ZP polls in 2017. The fight therefore shall be between BJD and BJP. In 2012 PRI polls, BJD had bagged all three ZPs of Pallahara Block and two ZPs of Kanhia Block. In 2017 PRI poll, all four BJD seats are likely to go to BJD. But BJP can take two seats, if it uses Rabi Pani factor and Pradhan takes interest.
Talcher Assembly constituency consists of all GPs of Talcher Block and Kaniha, Kamarei, Badatribida, Santribida, Bijigol, Badagunduri and Jarada GPs of Kanhia Block. In 2009, Independent ( Braja Pradhan) won from the seat with 36.2 per cent votes which increased to 46.95 per cent in 2014 when he joined BJD. His position has been further consolidated after becoming MlA. Though BJP had got 17 per cent votes in 2009 Assembly poll, its performance increased to 35 per cent votes in 2014 Assembly poll with the same candidate, Kalandi Samal. Congress voting was around 10 per cent in both 2009 and 2014 Assembly polls. In 2012 PRI polls, out of four ZP zones of Talcher Block, BJD, INC, Independent and BJP had won one zone each. The Independent had own one zone from Kanhia Block. This time BJD’s share will increase from one to maximum five or minimum three provided BJP gets focused and take two zones from Talcher.
Angul Assembly constituency consists of Khalari, Kangulabentapur, Angar Bandha, Badakera, Rantalei, Chheliapada, Baluakata, Kumurisingha, Inkarbandha, Sankhapur, Pokatunga, Talagarh, Baragounia, Basala, Bedasasan, Khinda, Gadatarasa, Badakantakul, Dhokuta, Balasingha, Bantala, Nandapur and Balanga GPs of Angul Block and Bauligad, Bhogabereni, Bonda, Budhapank, Fulpada, Garhasantri, Gotamara, Balaramprasad, Kulad, Mahidharpur, Nuahata, Talmul and Tulasipal GPs of Banarpal Block. This is a strong BJD Assembly constituency with repeated win of BJD candidates, leaving behind INC at approximately 15 per cent and BJP at 35 per cent vote difference. like 2012, all ZP seats are likely to go to BJD in 2017 PRI poll. INC can show some results former MlA candidate Sangram Mishra and Pratap Pradhan together work for the party.
Chhendipada (SC) Assembly constituency consists of all GPs of Chhendipada Block and Kandasar, Badakerajang,Jarasingha, Kanjara, Karadagadia, Kukudang, Kumand, Kurudol, Sakosingha, Sanakerajang, Tubey and Santrapur GPs of Banarpal Block. BJD has won repeatedly from here in Assembly polls, leaving behind INC at 7 per cent gap and BJP at 33 per cent behind. INC has continued its MlA candidate in 2009 and 2014. BJD could take only two ZP seats from Chhendiapada and one from Banarpal, giving INC two seats. This time BJD is likely to take all seats or repeat the past performance by giving two seats to INC.
Athamalik Assembly constituency consists of all GPs of Athalamailk Block, all GPs of Kishorenagar Block and Antulia, Saradhapur, Matiasahi, Manikajodi, Jagannathpur, Tainsi,Kothabhuin, Tikarpada and Purunakote GPs of Angul Block. BJD occupied it in 2009 and 2014 Assembly polls, leaving behind INC with more than 10 per cent gap and BJP with 30 per cent gap. There was one BJP zone in Kishorenagar Block last time, though the rest zones were taken away by BJD.
In the Angul district, out of eight Blocks, Angul , Chendipada, Talcher, Banarpal have four ZP zones each while Athamalik, Kanhia, Kishorenagar and Pallahara have three ZP zones each. last time out of total 28 ZP zones, BJD had won 21, INC won three, BJP two and Independents two. This time BJD and BJP are likely to gain at the cost of INC and Independents but BJD shall be in favorable position to form ZP body. Dissident activity is the only threat for BJD.
The ZP poll dates have been fixed for February 13 for Kishorenagar and Pallahara Blocks, February 15 for Athamalik and Kanhia Blocks, February 17 for Angul and Talcher Blocks and February 19 for Chhendipada and Banarpal Blocks