Bhadrak, Oct 30: The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is mulling to field a woman candidate in one out of the five Assembly constituencies of Bhadrak district.
Some women aspirants including wife of BJD leaders have come forward lobbying for ticket. The ruling party has won Chandbali, Bhandaripokhari, Bhadrak and Basudevpur seats while the Dhamnagar seat went to BJP in 2019.
The BJD filded a woman candidate in 2022 Dhamnagar bypoll but failed to defeat the BJP despite all efforts.
According to party sources, the state leadership is mulling to field a known woman face this time. Several names are doing rounds in the district including Bhadrak district BJD women wing president Sushree Bidyutlata Nayak. She is a resident of Dhamnagar constituency and former chairman of Tihidi block. As Dhamnagar is a reserved constituency, she is interested for party ticket from Chandabali or Bhadrak.
Similarly, another aspirant is Sujata Jena, who is now a member of State Child Welfare Committee and earlier was secretary of BJD state women wing. She unsuccessfully contested 2014 election as an independent candidate and was lobbying for party ticket in 2019.
Besides, Tihidi block chairman Abanti Das, and Sanjukta Das are lobbying for MLA ticket. Supporters of Bhadrak MP Manjulata Mandal are also urging her to contest from Dhamnagar seat.
