Bhubaneswar, Feb 1: As the election is looming large, the politics is changing fast in the Pipli assembly constituency of Puri district.
After the death of veteran BJD leader and seven times MLA Pradeep Maharthi, his son Rudra Pratap Maharathi has been in command both in party affairs and constituency for two years.
On the other hand, BJP leader Ashrit Patnaik alias Rinku who is struggling hard to get a chance in Pipili, But other two contenders for party tickets have emerged and become a challenge for him.
In the bye-election 2021, Rudra Pratap Maharathi, the BJD candidate won the election by a huge margin. Maharathi secured 92,972 votes whereas BJP candidate Rinku Patnaik got 76,056 votes.
Puri district BJP president Rinku has been contesting three times as BJP candidate in Pipili. This time, also he is the main claimant for the ticket. He has been organizing the party program for many years in Pipili. He is also strengthening the party organization at the grassroots level.
But two other leaders have emerged as aspirants for the party ticket this time. Saroj Pradhan of Orkal panchayat is lobbying for the BJP ticket. In the last 2-3 years, he has been preparing the grounds. On the eve of the New year, he had put up posters and banners in the Satasnakha area of the constituency.
Similarly, Radhamohan, another BJP leader is now active in the constituency. He is also projecting himself as a contender for the BJP ticket.
