Local MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain who leads the Athagrah seat for the last 28 years is facing challenges from the young contenders of the same party here.
The young cadres are seen more active in party organisation and getting huge support from the rank and file in the BJD.
Two such young leaders are Manash Bastia and Abhaya Barik. According to the talk going round here, they have got green signal from the Third Floor (CM’s Office) to organise the party here and are said to be strong contenders of BJD tickets.
Though the picture is still not clear as to who would be given the BJD ticket for Athagarh, still the supporters of Bastia and Barik are seen aggressively engaged in organising the party by challenging Swain.
Meanwhile, it is also said that if Basatia and Barik are not given ticket by the BJD, they may throw their weight behind Congress or BJP and divert the BJD votes. However, the duo maintained that they are in regular touch with Cuttack district BJD president Pratap Jena and CM’s Personal Secretary VK Pandian for getting ticket. Time will decide the fate of the trio, say the local political analysts here.