Jeypore, Nov 3: After the ruling BJD announced to give priority to women candidates in 2024 Assembly elections, opposition BJP and Congress are mulling to field woman candidate in Laxmipur Assembly constituency of Koraput district.

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Koraput zilla parishad chairman Sasmita Meleka and Koushalya Hikaka are the front runners for BJD ticket in Laxmipur.

Similarly, Bandhugaon block vice-chairman Gitanjali Pidika and wife of former Congress MLA Krushna Chandra Sagaria, Anita Bhatra, who unsuccessfully contested the 2019 election on BSP ticket, are lobbying for Congress ticket.

However, the BJP is yet to take a decision due to lack of eligible women leaders in its organisation.

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Laxmipur Assembly constituency covers Laxmipur, Dashamantapur, Narayanapatna and Bandhugaon blocks. BJD aspirant Sasmita Meleka is the zilla parishad member of Bandhugaon zone - I. She is a resident of Kumbhaganda village under Bandhugaon block and has pursued post graduation in zoology along with B.Ed course.

Earlier, she was the vice-chairman of Bandhugaon block from 2017 to 2022. Her grandfather is also a former chairman of the block.

Koushalya Hikaka, wife of Koraput BJD president and former MP Jhina Hikaka is doing rounds in the constituency with husband to reach out workers at grassroots level.

On the other hand, Gitanjali Pidika, a samiti member of Bandhugaon panchayat, is a good organiser of Congress.