After BJP MlA from Bonei Bhimsen Choudhury switched over to Congress, the CPI(M) which has a fairly sound foothold in the constituency may try to repeat an alliance with the BJD like in the last elections to bag the seat in the 2014 polls. But will the BJD, which is harping on equidistance from the Congress and the BJP, do itIJ
The CPI (M) leaders in the area, however, look optimistic. For, they know that an alliance between the two parties can facilitate their win. But the ruling party which is now riding on a wave of popularity may feel it comfortable to go it alone, instead of tying up with the CPI(M) and leaving the seat to the ally. Besides, in the event it does decide to go for an alliance and leaves the seat to its partner, the local BJD aspirants would be discouraged. Hence, the BJD supporters would never let an alliance happens.
It was revealed from a BJD meeting held on February 2 last here, where BJD district president Ananad Mohanty, Rourkela MlA Sarada Nayak and other front line leaders unanimously resolved to prevail upon the party supremo not to go for an alliance with the CPI(M) and rather sponsor a party leader to contest in next elections from Banei. Even, the party has started its work booth wise. The local BJD leaders are also in touch with many top leaders of the party and are hopeful that no alliance would be done.
Sources said if the BJD top leaders decide to leave the seat to CPI(M) overlooking the concerns of the local leaders, the latter may lose interest to work whole heartedly for the alliance party candidate in the 2014 polls.
In the 2009 polls, the CPI(M), despite having an alliance with the BJD, could not win either from lok Sabha seat in the district or the Bonai Assembly seat. lS candidate Salomi Minz had managed to score 71,582 votes out of 7, 66,742 valid votes. Similarly, in Bonei Assembly constituency, CPI(M) candidate laxman Munda had managed to get 27,139 votes and lost to BJP candidate Bhimsen Choudhury by 3,256 votes. Notably, upset at the BJD’s decision to go for an seat sharing pact with the CPI(M), local BJD leader Dayanidhi Kissan had contested as an independent and scored 18, 154 votes. He foiled the chance of the CPI(M) candidate to win the polls from Bonei. Understanding his potential, later BJD boss Patnaik had rehabilitated him as Rourkela Development Authority chairman.
The central leaders of CPI(M) like Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury seem to be in good humour with the BJD supremo as they know that the without the blessing of the regional party, the left parties cannot open their account in Odisha. However, last time, the BJD had taken a decision for alliance under the then prevailing circumstances. Now, the party is at a different juncture and hence, it has to take decision on the alliance under the current options and challenges.
Rightly, a senior CPI(M) local leader of Bonei under condition of anonymity said, “An alliance between the two parties depends on the decision of the BJD alone.”