With the growing disenchantment with two-time Brahmapur BJD MP Siddhanta Mahapatra for his inactivity and disconnect with people, the constituents apparently look for a new candidate in the coming elections.
One such face is Chikiti royal family scion 43-year-old Chinmayananda Sirup Deo, a software engineer, having his firm SEASAT Solutions in Hyderabad. He is the son of Minister and five-time Chikiti MLA Usha Devi. Besides, his grandfather Sachidananda Deo was a two-time MLA from Chikiti while his father Trigunateeta Deo is a former president of BCC Bank and former uncontested Chairman of Chikiti NAC.
Apart from his family legacy, Chinmayananda is known as a young entrepreneur who through his software company has given employment to many Odia youths. He has also a good rapport with the Telugu-speaking residents of Ganjam district because of his Hyderabad link and proximity with many Telangana leaders.
While the image of the Chikiti royal family is a plus point for Chinmayananda, there is also support for his candidature from a cross-section of people like lawyers, Muslims, Christians, minority communities, apart from the BJD workers and leaders in Brahmapur, Digapahandi, Chhatrapur, Chikiti, Mohana and Paralakhemundi, who want that BJD supremo and CM Naveen Patnaik choose a candidate this time who can be dynamic and forcefully represent various local problems in Parliament.
Brahmapur Lok Sabha constituency is formed of seven Assembly constituencies such as Brahmapur, Chhatrapur, Gopalpur, Chikiti, Paralakhemundi, Mohana and Digapahandi. The BJD has been winning the seat since 2009. Though cine star Sidhhanta Mahapatra has been elected for two consecutive times, he is facing anti-incumbency and is not keeping a sound grassroots link. For the political observers, repeating him once again could be risky for the BJD.
The other probable candidates are Chandra Sekhar Sahoo, Ramesh Chandra Chayupattnaik and Usha Devi. Though Sahoo is a former Congress MP from Brahmapur in 2004 and a Union Minister in the UPA Government, he is a newcomer in the BJD and yet to be acceptable to the BJD rank and file. However, it would be a better option for the BJD if he is fielded from the Paralakhemundi Assembly seat as he has some influence in Paralakhemundi, besides Brahmapur city.
Brahmapur MLA Chayupattnaik’s age factor is a big stumbling block for him while Usha Devi may not be spared for Lok Sabha as she may be better chosen for her Assembly role this time too due to the ongoing keen contest between the BJD and the BJP for numbers in the Assembly.
Asked about his future political role, Chinmayananda said he likes CM Naveen Patnaik’s principles of ‘less talk and more action’ and would be happy whatever decision the BJD supremo would take in this matter.