Balasore set for triangular fight; Cong nominee Bikram Panda eyes to benefit confusions in rival camps
By Sudam Patra
Balasore, Oct. 6: Balasore assembly constituency is slowly warming for an interesting triangular by-poll with each party appear to be making serious efforts to win the seat.
The Congress is most likely to field Birkam Panda, a close confidante of Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik. On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party has almost decided to field Manas Dutta, son deceased MLA Madan Mohan Dutta, as its nominee.
Confusion reigns supreme in the BJD camp as the party. Party leaders are in dilemma. While former Lok Sabha member Rabindra Jena, according to reports, is trying to put his hat into the ring, former MLA Jiban Pradesh Dash is hell-bent to the elections to protect his home turf.
Sources Rabindra, presently the Balasore district BJD president, wants enter the State Assembly to maintain his hold on the constituency. Subasini Jena, wife of Rabindra Jena, is also reportedly another contestant.
According to reports, although Rabindra is holding workers’ meets ever since the process for the by-elections started, Jiban Pradip Das is not seen in those events.
As it seems now, Bikram Pandais hoping to benefit from the internal strife in the BJD camp and lack of coordination in the BJP district unit.
By-poll to Balasore assembly seat was necessitated following the death of incumbent MLA Madan Mohan Dutta early this year.
