While entry of Gajapati Maharajas into politics and their winning in elections are not new, a report of Yuvarani Kalyani Devi, great granddaughter of Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, joining politics has made common people happy here.
Notably, Maharaja KC Gajapati was the first Prime Minister of Odisha and Gajapati district has been formed in his name.
It is being discussed that the Kalyani Devi has shown interest to enter politics, especially for development of the Paralkahemundi Assembly. Discussions started after a “Bandhumilan” (get-together), called by her, was held at the Manikaswari Temple here. People from different walks of life such as senior citizens, political leaders, journalists etc. attended.
After the “BandhuMilana”, her close associates have said that the political entry of Kalyani Devi would be announced soon. After the buzz, the BJP and the BJD have now come forward to accept her into their fold to make their respective party stronger in the Paralakhemundi constituency.
Even as Yuvarani had been visiting Paralkahemundi for the last two years, yet she had never seen attending to common people. The buzz after the Bandhumilan has fueled enthusiastic discussion among people now.
Notably, former BJD district president Basanta Das has a close relationship with the Mahraja family for long and now he is an advisor to Kalyani Devi. Hence, it would not be surprising if Kalyani Devi joins the BJD.
It may be noted that that Gopinath Gajapati, grandson of KC Gajapati, had won Berhampur MP seat twice on Congress tickets from 1989 to 1996. Later, he joined the BJP and then switched over to the BJD. Now, the State Government is bearing all the medical expenses of Maharaja Gopinath Gajapati, who is undergoing treatment in a hospital. Hence, Yuvarani Kalyani Devi joining the BJD can’t be ruled out. It is also being discussed that she might join the BJP as the saffron party has good relationship with the Maharaja family.
However, Kalyani Devi has not yet declared about her any proposal to join politics.