Even as the BJP has fielded its national spokesperson Dr Sambit Patra as MP candidate from the Puri seat, it is not likely to be a cakewalk for him as he will be fighting his debut election in the BJD’s stronghold.
Since 90s all the six MLA seats have remained impenetrable even for the non-BJD parties. Puri MLA Moheswar Mohanty who is a Minister of the State Government, is most likely to be fielded, although no official confirmation has been made yet. After Uma Ballav Rath changed his seat from Puri to Athagarh now winnablity chance of Mohanty is more to finish a consecutive sixth term as a record.
Since the Congress is no more visible, party feels the BJP is unproblematic for Mohanty, presumably a candidate for the sixth time in Puri.
Sources said, at least to register win in MP election, Patra has to capture four MLA segments. While BJP has little impact in four MLA constituencies namely Puri, Sakhigopal, Pipili and Kakatpur, it has better ground in Brahmagiri and Nimapara constituencies.
Meanwhile, dissidence activities surfaced in the BJP when a group led by Krusna Chandra Panda upped the ante on the selection process of MLA candidate from Puri seat on Tuesday. While Panda is in ticket race, a delay in announcement in the only constituency of district has pushed him to discomfort. He is opposed by outgoing municipality chairman Jayant Sarangi. Sarangi is likely to switched sides to the BJD once his candidature is not considered by the BJP.