Bhubaneswar, April 2: Bhadrak Lok Sabha constituency, a reserved seat for Scheduled Castes, has a rich political history. Only three prominent contenders are vying for the Congress ticket in this crucial election.
Anant Sethi, former MP: past involvement in parliamentary affairs could be an asset for the party.
Panchanan Mandal: As a former MLA of Bhandaripokhari, Panchanan Mandal has a strong local connect. His grassroots work and understanding of the constituency might sway voters.
Pradyumn Das: A youth leader, Pradyumn Das represents the fresh energy and enthusiasm that the Congress needs. His ability to mobilize party workers could be pivotal.
Bhadrak has a historical association with the Congress, but recent years have seen a shift. Since 1996, the party has faced setbacks due to fielding new faces in each election. Notably, Netrananda Mallik was the last Congress MP in 1996.
In contrast, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has maintained its stronghold on this seat. Arjun Charan Sethi, a BJD candidate, had secured victory five consecutive times from 1998 onwards. The 2019 election saw BJD’s Manjulata Mandal emerge as the winner.
Now, with BJP fielding Arjun Sethi’s son, Abhimanyu, the contest becomes even more intriguing. The ruling BJD is yet to announce its candidate. The Congress faces a critical decision, as to which candidate will inspire confidence and secure votes to reclaim this historically significant seat? Only time will tell.
