Bhubaneswar, Feb 19: The political landscape in Nilgiri assembly segment of Balasore district is undergoing significant change as the elections draw near. There are intriguing developments surrounding sitting BJP MLA Sukanta Nayak and his potential move to the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
Sukanta Nayak, the BJP MLA, has been in touch with BJD leaders in Bhubaneswar, fueling speculation that he might cross over before the assembly election. However, Nayak has denied these rumors.
It is rumored that the sitting BJP MP Pratap Sarangi is reportedly considering contesting as an MLA from his home turf, Nilagiri. Pratap has previously held the MLA position in 2009 and 2014. There are also whispers that Sarangi may nominate his personal assistant, Chandrabindu Das, as the BJP candidate in the upcoming election.
The question on everyone’s mind is: Who will be the BJP’s MLA candidate for the Nilagiri assembly seat this time?
Interestingly, before the 2019 elections, veteran BJP leader Pratap Sarangi caused a stir by inducting BJD MLA Sukanta Nayak into the BJP. Despite this surprising move, Sukanta emerged victorious as a BJP MLA in 2019. Before that, he had been elected as the BJD nominee from Nilgiri in the 2014 election.
If Sukanta rejoins the BJD, it could significantly alter the political equation. The last time, BJD candidate Santosh Khatua, formerly a BJP leader, might also consider switching allegiance.
Meanwhile, within the BJP, hardliners are grappling with factional politics. If the BJD nominates Sukanta as their candidate in the upcoming election, it could reshape the political landscape in Nilagiri. Santosh Khatua, who has played a pivotal role in the BJD organization for five years, may either contest as an independent candidate or hold the reins for the Congress, or return to the BJP fold.
In this complex scenario, the question as to which party’s candidate will emerge from Nilagiri remains uncertain, but clarity is expected soon
