The Jeypore Assembly constituency, the only unreserved seat of Korput district, is all set to witness a triangular fight among the BJD, Congress and BJP even though as many as 10 candidates are now in the fray.
This seat consists of the Jeypore Municipality and Jeypore and Borigumma blocks.
The candidates who are all set to try their luck on April 10 polls from the seat include incumbent MlA and School and Mass Education Minister Rabi Narayan Nanda (BJD), former Koraput MlA Tara Prasad Bahinipati (Congress), Bhrugu Baxipatra, son of former Minister late Harish Chandra Buxipatra, (BJP), Gautam Samanthray (OJM), Mahendra Patra (TMC), Manoranjan Naik (AAP), Susanta Adhikari (CPI), Sada Naik (BSP) and two independent candidates, John Bahadur and Santosh Kumar Dash.
BJD candidate Nanda is contesting for the fourth time from the seat. Nanda, who was also the chairman of the Jeypore municipality earlier, claims that people would vote for him again as he has done a lot of developmental works in the area during last fourteen years.
However, Nanda’s reported links in the encroachment of land of a Dalit family seems to have put black dots in his 14 years career. “This time, the election would not be an easy task for him,” opine some local voters.
Similarly Congress candidate Bahinipati was elected twice as MlA from Koraput Assembly seat. As he didn’t get a ticket from the Congress in the 2009 elections, he quit the party and contested from this seat on a BJP ticket. However, he was defeated by Nanda (BJD) by a very little margin. later, he rejoined the Congress. He now claims he would cash in on Nanda’s alleged corruption practices and his strong organization in the constituency.
On the other hand, BJP candidate Baxipatra has a special identity as his father late Harish Chandra Baxipatra had won the seat earlier and became a Minister. As a young leader, Baxipatra has been making efforts to strengthen the BJP in the region since long. He claims that both Nanda and Bahinipati have failed in developing the area and indulged in many corruption practices.
“The Modi mantra will change the entire political scenario of the State as people want to see Modiji as the next Prime Minister. I am committed to bring development in the constituency. I am confident the people would elect me this time,” Baxipatra said.
