Although eight candidates are in the fray in the Keonjhar lok Sabha constituency, a triangular fight between the Congress, the BJP and the BJD is clear after the campaigning gained momentum.
BJD candidate Shakuntala laguri is the wife of sitting BJD MP Jaswant Narayan Singh laguri, who was denied party ticket for his tainted public image. But Shakuntala laguri is facing a keen competition from her BJP rival Ananta Nayak. She, however, is banking on the image of Naveen Patnaik.
Ananta Nayak was elected twice to the lok Sabha in 1999 and 2004 and has a long list of achievements for the district during his tenure. Declaration of NH 215, establishment of Kendriya Vidyalaya, the Kanpur irrigation project and Daitari-Banspani railway link including passenger train communication to the district are some of his major achievements.
Besides, with the growing public support for the BJP’s prime minister candidate Narendra Modi, Nayak is confident to win the polls this time. Madhab Sardar, the Congress candidate, with good education background, has the experience of a Parliamentarian after being elected in 1996. But this time, lack of coordination among Congress workers and poor campaigning has put him behind his rival.
While Naveen Patnaik and Narendra Modi have visited the district to campaign for their candidates, no star campaigners from the Congress have come to campaign for their lok Sabha candidates. In some Assembly segments, voters seem to prefer Patnaik in the State and Modi at the Centre.