Bhubaneswar, April, 10: The Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat is witnessing a battle between unequal contenders in the upcoming election.
Malvika Keshari Deo, wife of the scion of the erstwhile Kalahandi royal family, Arka Keshari Deo, is representing the BJP. The BJP is relying on the historical influence of the royal family to secure victory in this seat.
On the other hand, Lambodar Nial, a BJD candidate, has previously contested twice from the Khariar Assembly seat but faced defeat. The BJD has strategically nominated Nial, who belongs to the Yadav caste—a significant voter base in the constituency.
The Congress has fielded Draupadi Majhi, a grassroots worker with successful panchayat and Zilla Parishad election experience. Majhi aims to challenge the established political players in this electoral battle.
The Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat, historically associated with poverty, starvation, and overall backwardness, now witnesses a curious fight.
The question looms: Will the BJP’s reliance on the royal family’s legacy prevail, or will the BJD’s caste-based strategy turn the tide?
All eyes are on the clash between a seasoned political leader like Nial, who has faced defeat twice, and a newcomer like Malvika, who carries the weight of the royal lineage. The outcome remains uncertain, and the voters’ verdict will determine the fate of this contest.
Interestingly, Arka Keshari Deo’s father, Bikram Keshari Deo, secured victory as a BJP candidate in this constituency three times consecutively (1998, 1999, and 2004). Prior to that, Bikram’s father, Pratap Keshari Deo, had an impressive record of winning the seat five times consecutively from 1957, 1962, 1967, 1971 & 1977 as Ganatanntra Parisad and Swatantra Party nominee.
