Rebels hold the key in western Orissa

By Prafulla Das

SAMBALPUR (ORISSA), FEB. 11. Western Orissa's main business hub, Sambalpur, and its surrounding areas have not changed much during the past five years. Except for the butter-smooth L&T road connecting this town with Rourkela and the rail link between this town and Bhubaneswar, the Lok Sabha constituency with seven Assembly segments has nothing new to flaunt.

Drinking water is scarce in several areas, many small irrigation projects have not taken off, healthcare remains neglected as usual, a host of small scale industries have faced closure and the condition of interior roads continues to be bad.

So far as development is concerned, after long years of demand, the Giridhar Gamang Government had formed the Western Orissa Development Council for speedier development of the region. But nothing tangible has emerged.

But the region's under-development has not deterred politicians from taking the plunge from here and they have done it again for the coming polls. The main contenders for the seven segments of Padampur, Melchamunda, Bijepur, Bhatli, Baragarh, Sambalpur and Rairakhole belong to the ruling Congress(I) and the BJP-BJD alliance.

Both sides, however, are facing the problem of infighting and in segments party rebels have entered the fray as Independents. In the case of BJP-BJD alliance, mostly the BJP rebels are fighting against the BJD nominee or the BJD rebels are fighting the BJP candidate. The Congress(I), on the other hand, is suffering from differences among local party leaders. In Padampur, a large number of farmers are irritated. Their demand for water for irrigation purposes remains unfulfilled. The seat is likely to witness a straight fight between the BJD sitting MLA, Mr. Bijay Singh Bhuria and the former Congress(I) MLA, Mr. Satya Bhushan Sahu. Mr. Bhuria appears to be in a comfortable position, but nothing could be said about the final outcome as Mr. Pradip Purohit, a prominent BJP youth leader, has turned a rebel and is fighting as an Independent.

The Melchamunda segment is witnessing a fierce battle between Mr. Prakash Chandra Debta, Minister in the Hemananda Biswal Government, and Mr. Sirish Kumar Bohidar, a BJP old-timer. Mr. Bohidar has the active support of the BJD cadre and has emerged a strong rival of Mr. Debta. But the presence of a BJP rebel, Mr. Murari Prasad Mishra, may spoil Mr. Bohidar's chances in the final round.

In Bijepur segment too, there is a BJP rebel in the fray. But the main fight is expected to take place between the BJD nominee, Mr. Ashok Kumar Panigrahi, and the Congress(I) candidate, Mr. Ripu Nath Seth, who is also a Minister at present.

In the Bhatli segment, the Civil Supplies Minister and Congress(I) nominee is facing a stiff challenge posed by the BJP nominee, Mr. Bimbadhar Kuanr. A senior leader who was in the erstwhile Janata Party, Mr. Kuanr stands on a strong wicket as the BJP has gained strength in the recent times and developed an organisational base.

In Baragarh, Mr. Anand Acharya, Sitting BJD MLA and brother of senior party leader, Mr. Prasanna Acharya, poses a serious challenge for the Congress(I) contender, Mr. Nabin Kumar Pradhan. Mr. Pradhan's position remains weak due to lack of unity in his party at the local level and a section of his party is out to sabotage his chances.

In the Sambalpur segment too, the BJP-BJD alliance candidate, Mr. Jayanarayan Mishra is in a strong position because of the so called wave in favour of the alliance and infighting in the local unit of the Congress(I). There has been resentment among a section of Congress(I) workers as the sitting MLA and Labour Minister, Mr. Durga Shankar Patnaik, was denied the party ticket at the last moment, and Mr. Anand Jena, chairman of the Sambalpur Municipality, was made the nominee.

The Rairakhole seat is the only exception. It is likely to witness a multi-cornered contest with the main players being the nominees of the BJD, Congress(I), Janata Dal(S) and a BJP rebel. The sitting Congress(I) MLA, Mr. Abhimanyu Kumar, may win the second again if the anti-Congress(I) votes get divided in the area.

In the last general elections, the people of Sambalpur had voted for the BJP-BJD alliance. Mr. Prasanna Acharya of the BJD had defeated the Congress(I) candidate, Dr. Krupasindhu Bhoi, by securing more votes than his rival in all the seven Assembly segments. Expectedly, the alliance would do well in most of the segments in the coming polls. Of course, much would depend upon how the electorate responds to the rebels belonging to both the camps.

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