Political circle is now abuzz with speculation that to counter the emergence of Congress in western Odisha, after the recent formation of Congress Government in Chhattisgarh, theBJD may take recourse to new strategy in the 2019 elections.
Apprehending Congress rise in Sambalpur Parliamentary Constituency, many party leaders and workers seemingly want replacement of the present MP Nagendra Pradhan with the present Works Secretary Nalini Kanta Pradhan.
Pradhan, a 1980 batch Civil Engineer and MSc Engg (Transportation) has been instrumental in preparing State Road Plan, e- Governance and Asset Management, besides early completion of many mega road and bridge projects of the State.
Going a step ahead, the enthusiastic local BJD workers have recently figured his photo in a party meeting banner at Redhakhole. This has created a flutter among the Congress and BJP circles.
Meanwhile, an organisation, MASS, after a survey, has named Naveen Jindal , who has established the mega steel plant at Chhendipada, as a suitable candidate for Sambalpur LS constituency.
The Congress door at Odisha is open for Jindal due to his and his family’s close proximity with present PCC chief Niranjan Pattanaik due to mines business since long. But, apprehending the BJD's probable success in Odisha, Jindal may not oblige his followers by taking the risk.
However, Amar Pradhan too is interested for a Congress ticket for the Sambalpur Parliamentary seat this time.
It is talked that BJP senior leader Suresh Pujari and the probable candidate of BJP for 2919 polls from Sambalpur may have to face the Congress wave from Chhattisgarh.