Nominations of three of 48 candidates filed for Keonjhar district’s newly-formed Champua NAC polls were rejected during scrutiny on Monday. By now, 45 valid candidates are in the fray.
The 13-ward NAC is expected to witness a triangular fight among BJD, BJP, and the Congress.
While the BJD and the BJP have fielded candidates for all 13 wards, the Congress has fielded only 12. The last date of withdrawal of nomination is January 7 and the voting is fixed for January 19. Results would be declared on January 21.
Minister Badri Narayan Patra, Sakuntala laguri and MlA Hrusikesh Naik led the BJD candidates in a rally to file nominations on the final day. BJP leaders Mohan Majhi and Ananta Nayak accompanied the party candidates to file nominations.
Sitting Independent MlA Sanatan Mahakud is said to be playing an important role in this election. Although there is a talk that he might support the BJD, yet many of his supporters were seen filing nominations as Independent candidates from different wards.
Since Congress has a weak support base in Champua, the fight is expected to be mainly between the BJD and BJP while Independent MlA Sanatan would be a deciding factor, said political analysts.