Bhubaneswar, May 30: As the fourth phase of election campaigning draws to a close today, all eyes are on the candidates of various political parties, heavyweights, and star campaigners as they intensify their efforts to sway voters on the eve of voting scheduled for Saturday, June 1.
Among the notable figures hitting the campaign trail are Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and BJP's Dharmendra Pradhan.
Rahul Gandhi is slated to arrive on May 30 and is scheduled to address a crucial meeting at Sanamahitpur in Simulia of Balasore district. His visit holds significance as it is expected to influence the electoral outcomes in Bhadrak, Balasore Lok Sabha constituencies, and other Assembly seats.
In this crucial phase, voting will take place across six parliamentary constituencies and 42 assembly seats in the state of Odisha. Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha seats, along with 42 Legislative Assembly seats, will witness polling on June 1, determining the fate of several prominent candidates.
Among the key contenders are Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Naik from Mahakalapada seat, Pratap Dev from Aul, Tusarkanti Behera from Kakatpur, Prithiranjan Ghadai from Sukinda, and Ashwini Patra from Jaleswar. Additionally, MP Pramila Mallik is contesting from Binjharpur, while ruling party Chief Secretary Prashant Muduli is vying for the Jagatsinghpur seat.
Notable figures like former Minister Prafula Samal are also in the fray, contesting from the Bhadrak seat. Former PCC President Niranjan Patnaik is seeking election from Bhandaripokhari, while BJP state President Manmohan Samal is competing for the Chandbali seat.
In the previous 2019 elections, the BJD demonstrated a strong performance in these constituencies, securing four out of six Lok Sabha seats, while BJP managed to clinch two. Notably, BJD emerged victorious in Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, and Bhadrak, while BJP secured victories in Mayurbhanj and Balasore. BJD boasted a success rate of 60 percent in the Lok Sabha elections, whereas BJP achieved 40 percent success.
Similarly, in the assembly seats, BJD won 33 out of 42, with BJP securing nine. Noteworthy wins for BJP include six out of nine assembly seats in Mayurbhanj district. The close contests in seats like Balasore, Dhamnagar, and Nilgiri add to the intrigue of the electoral landscape.
As the campaigns reach a crescendo, the final day of canvassing in Odisha promises to be a riveting affair, with political dynamics shifting and candidates making their last pitch to sway voters.
