In Odisha, polling passed off more or less peacefully in six parliamentary constituencies and 42 assembly segments under their purview. People in large numbers queued up since 7 am to exercise their franchise. Election Commission reports, 59.6% voting by 5 this evening and the figure is likely to increase as voting continues in many booths after 6 in the evening, the time deadline set for voting. There were reports of violence in Banki, Brahmagiri, Ghasipura and few other Assembly constituencies where different groups belonging to few political parties clashed during the polling for which voting was disrupted for sometime.
The prominent candidates whose fate has been sealed in the EVMs today in the Lok Sabha polls include Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP leaders Sambit Patra, Aparajita Sarangi, Bhartruhari Mahatab, Ruda Narayan Pani, BJD organisation general secretary Pranab Prakash Das. The fate of many state ministers in the Naveen Patnaik government and sitting MLAs, who are contesting in the third phase of assembly elections in the state, has also been sealed today in the
EVMs.
As expected, today’s Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha witnessed a bitter tussle between the Biju Janata Dal and BJP not a ‘friendly contest’ as earlier expected. In most of the constituencies BJD and BJP candidates are fighting neck to neck, while in some seats there are triangular contests. In Lok sabha elections, BJD heavyweight Pranab Prakash Das, who is the organisation general secretary and has been calling the shots in the party, is taking on Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, considered to be the BJP’s poster boy in the State, in the Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency in western Odisha. The Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat is witnessing a tough contest between BJD’s Manmath Routray and BJP’s national spokesperson and sitting MP Aparajita Sarangi. Similarly, the Puri Lok Sabha seat is witnessing a close contest between BJD nominee Arup Patnaik, who was Mumbai Police Commissioner, and BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra. Six-time MP from Cuttack Lok Sabha constituency Bhartruhari Mahatab of BJP is fighting to retain his seat this time and is pitted against Santrupta Mishra of the BJD.
EVMs.
As expected, today’s Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha witnessed a bitter tussle between the Biju Janata Dal and BJP not a ‘friendly contest’ as earlier expected. In most of the constituencies BJD and BJP candidates are fighting neck to neck, while in some seats there are triangular contests. In Lok sabha elections, BJD heavyweight Pranab Prakash Das, who is the organisation general secretary and has been calling the shots in the party, is taking on Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, considered to be the BJP’s poster boy in the State, in the Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency in western Odisha. The Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat is witnessing a tough contest between BJD’s Manmath Routray and BJP’s national spokesperson and sitting MP Aparajita Sarangi. Similarly, the Puri Lok Sabha seat is witnessing a close contest between BJD nominee Arup Patnaik, who was Mumbai Police Commissioner, and BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra. Six-time MP from Cuttack Lok Sabha constituency Bhartruhari Mahatab of BJP is fighting to retain his seat this time and is pitted against Santrupta Mishra of the BJD.
Mr Mahatab left BJD just before the elections and joined BJP. In the state Assembly elections, tough contests between the BJD and BJP were witnessed in a large number of the 42 Assembly seats as the ruling BJD has fielded most of its sitting ministers and legislators. In some constituencies, Congress and independent candidates are also giving a tough fight. After casting his vote, Odisha Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik expressed confidence to form the government for sixth consecutive term and also win majority of 21 Lok Sabha seats. On the other hand, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said BJP will sweep all 21 Lok Sabha seats and form the state government comfortably. In the 2019 elections, BJD won 4 and BJP in 2 Lok Sabha seats, while BJD won 34, BJP 6 and Congress in 2 assembly seats those went for polls today.
