Excitement in Paradip over election result

Surjit Kumar Dhal,Paradip, May 20: Even as the counting of ballots is scheduled for May 23, excitement grows here with all eyes now set on the result of the Paradip Assembly segment in Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha constituency where election was held on April 29 during the fourth phase.

Nine candidates were in the fray for Paradip Assembly seat. But it seems to be a triangular contest between BJP candidate Sampad Swain, Congress candidate Arindam Sarkhel and BJD candidate Sambit Routray.

The political equation in this constituency changed after Damodar Rout was sacked by the BJD. This seat had witnessed a straight fight last time. Damodar Rout from the BJD had won the seat in 2014 defeating Arindam Sarkhel of Congress by a margin of 38600 votes.

Rout got 85206 votes – 59.15 per cent vote share –while Sarkhel received 46606 votes. BJD got 59.15% vote share.

But this time it was a triangular contest in which Sarkhel, Sampad Swain of BJP and Sambit Routray—son of Dr Rout- were in the fray.

Both Sampad and Sambit contested election for the first time.

The BJD’s vote share is more in this seat as it has remained a citadel of the party since its formation. But local BJD leaders found it difficult this time to campaign due to disenchantment among party workers.

Many BJD leaders were eying a ticket from this seat after Damodar Rout was expelled from party. But their hopes were dashed when the BJD picked Sambit Routray as its nominee.

This gave rise to strong resentment in the party and Sambit found it hard to carry disgruntled elements with him. However, at the end all the decadent leaders and workers worked for the party candidate though reluctantly.

On the other hand, the BJP this time moved ahead. The party had received only 5, 800 votes in 2014, but it tasted success in the 2015 Municipality elections and bagged two Zilla Parishad seats in the 2018 panchayat elections.

According to political analysts, the vote share of the BJP is likely to rise this time. BJP candidate Sampad’s supporters are quite hopeful of winning.