Battle For Bijepur

Battle For Bijepur

“Padma phulaphutiba (The lotus will bloom),” says Ghumdo Majhi, a farmer in Bijepur block, as he works in his field. “We are struggling to get basic needs like water. The present Government has not done anything. This time, BJP will come to power,” he says.

A few metres away, in a betel shop, a group of men is discussing the upcoming elections, over a cup of tea. “Congress will emerge victorious. Their candidate Pranay Sahu is a good person. He has helped many people in his area. He is likely to get more votes,” says 58-year old Omprakash Sharma, the owner of the shop.

Returning from his fields after work with few acquaintances, Ramesh Dandasena (38), a farmer, is placing his bet on the ruling BJD. “I have a gut feeling that BJD will win. They have a strong candidate. In my village, most people are rooting for them.”

Considered to be a litmus test ahead of 2019 general elections, the ‘Battle for Bijepur’ is being held after the death of sitting MLA Subal Sahu; and all eyes will be on February 28, the day when the result will be announced.

Ahead of the election day, MyCityLinks takes a look at the electoral battle raging at Bijepur and explains what this election means for different political parties and why this could hold a cue for the 2019 elections.

CONGRESS

Predominantly a Congress bastion, Bijepur was almost politically synonymous to Subal Sahu, a popular leader from the Congress party, who won the seat for three consecutive times for the party (2004, 2009 and 2014), defying the mighty BJD. A month after his death last year due to cancer, his wife Ritarani Sahu, along with her son Sumit and few Congress supporters joined BJD, citing, that the late leader had wished to join the ruling party and contest 2019 elections as a BJD candidate.

Though the party never admitted openly, the decision hadbaffled Congress, and raised speculations of a pitched battle for Bijepur last year itself.

Know the Candidate: After much deliberation, Congress announced its Vice-Chairman of Gaisilat block as its candidate. Though the other candidateunder consideration was that of former MLA Ripunath Seth, it was Pranay Sahu, whose name was announced by a six-member committee headed by former Chief Minister Hemananda Biswal, just two days before the last date of filing nominations.

Significance for Congress: More than anyone,in this election, the Congress party would be looking atmaintaining its stronghold in the Bijepur region. Under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, the party has improved its vote margin in the recently held Gujarat elections and winning three by-polls in Rajasthan. It will look for a similar revival story in Odisha and try to consolidate at least its position of opposition party, which is slipping away, after the rise of BJP.

Advantage Point: For the last three consecutive elections, Congress has been winning the area. While there is no doubt that the late leader SubalSahu’s popularity is unmatched, the party could retain its loyal votes and give a good fight to other parties.

Congress’ Voice: “BJP and BJD might be ahead in campaigning,but Congress is way ahead in terms of votes. It is like BJP and BJD playing the semi-final match now and whosoever wins, will play against the Congress. In the final, the results will be in favour of Congress party,” says Sarat Rout of the Congress

.

The party also thinks that Subal Sahu’s wife joining BJD will have no major impact on their votes.

“In Bijepur, Subal Sahu was a big name. His wife joining the BJD after his death has disheartened many people. This area supported Congress and will continue to do so. Though his wife has joined BJD, only their personal votes might go to them, which would be negligible,”says Rout.

BIJU JANATA DAL (BJD)

Though the Biju Janata Dal has been the most powerful and undisputed party in Odisha, its influence in the western districts is mild compared to the coastal region. This election will be their chance to strengthen their position all over the state.

Know the Candidate: Ritarani Sahu, wife of late leader Subal Sahu joined the BJD, a month after her husband’s death. She and her son Sumit, along with close to 3000 Congress workers joined BJD in September. Not surprisingly, she was named as the party’s candidate.

Significance for BJD: For the ruling BJD, the election is more about reinstating their supremacy over Odisha. The party led by its supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has so far thwarted all opposition, including the ‘Modi wave’ which swept away most of India in 2014.

It is more about the party’s reputation over anything else. If BJD manages to win Bijepur, it will not only give a morale boost to the party ahead of 2019 elections, it will be a major blow to BJP, which is trying to politically enter Odisha.

A victory will not only affirm Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s popularity in the state, but also be a major jolt to Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s foothold in Odisha, touted as a threat to Patnaik.

A win in Bijepur also implies an excellent opportunity for BJD to strengthen its base in western Odisha. The party is already doing well in the coastal area; a win in the western district would sustain its already strengthening base there.

Advantage Point: The major advantage for the party is, of course, its candidate Rita Sahu. The BJD will look to woo some of the Congress voters to their side in this election. A ‘sympathy wave’ for Rita Sahu might also be a factor to rope in voters.

BJD’s Voice: “The people of Bijepur are well aware of the pro-poor policies of the Naveen Patnaik government. BJD led by Naveen Patnaik has raked up the cause of the farmers and weaver community, which is predominant in the area. The BJP, on the other hand, is supporting Chhattisgarh on Mahanadi issue and imposing GST on threads, thereby affecting the farmers and weavers, and has completely ignored both the communities. With little resources and minimum support, BJD is taking all possible steps to improve the lives of the people. BJP’s propaganda is visible and irrespective of their rallies and speeches, people will support the Naveen Patnaik Government,” says Captain Dibyashankar Mishra, spokesperson, BJD.

Admitting that Congress has improved on its tally, he says, “BJD will emerge victorious, while Congress will take the second position and BJP will be pushed down to third.”

BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY (BJP)

If BJP is planning to make inroads into Odisha in 2019 general elections, nothing better than Bijepur bypoll to start their victory trail with. Bijepur could be their first step towards the ambitious ‘Mission 120 seats’ announced by National BJP President Amit Shah.

Know the Candidate: On expected lines, Ashok Panigrahi will be BJP’s face in Bijepur bypoll. A member of the BJD, Panigrahi switched sides last October after Rita Sahu, wife of late SubalSahu joined BJD along with her son and supporters.

Significance for BJP: More than the party, it will be a big test for Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who has emerged as a tough contender, to the so far, unchallenged Naveen Patnaik. Unlike other parties, Pradhan began the campaign trail early and has been camping in the area for long. With almost five rallies a day, Pradhan has been toiling hard to claim victory.

Nationally as well, this election is crucial for BJP after it faced reduced vote share in the Rajasthan by-poll. If BJP manages to win Bijepur, it could be their way to ‘invade’ the eastern territories, which has significant presence of regional political parties.

Advantage Point: Anti-incumbency. BJP has been using the anti-incumbency factor often to target the 18 years of Naveen Patnaik led government. With Bargarh remaining a farmer distress zone, the party might try to score victory by raising development issues. The Kunduli gangrape case has also gone against the BJD and BJP has constantly raised the issue throughout.

BJP’s voice: “BJP isn’t just fighting elections to stay in power; instead its intention is to provide basic necessities to people. After 18 years of rule, BJD has been unable to provide drinking water, health care facilities and education to the people in this area. There is massive corruption as far as implementation of welfare schemes is concerned. So BJD will not win the election here,” says Lekhashree Samantasinghar of BJP.

She feels the Congress too has been rendered powerless after the death of their popular leader Subal Sahu. “There is massive resentment among the people as far as Congress is concerned. They are hardly getting support and hardly people are participating in their campaigns. So Congress doesn’t stand a chance anymore.”