Bhubaneswar, April 10: Niranjan Patnaik, a seasoned leader and former PCC chief, is poised to once again contest from the Ghasipura assembly seat in Keonjhar district. This move comes as a response to the challenge posed by his long-standing rival, BJD leader Badri Narayan Patra. Niranjan’s recent visit to the Shree Jagannath Temple at Gadabandhagoda in the Ghasipura segment hints at his intention to re-enter the electoral fray from this constituency.
While the Congress party has not yet officially announced its candidate for the Ghasipura seat, there are indications that Niranjan might be their nominee once more. He has expressed his commitment to fight the election as a disciplined party member. The question remains: Will he choose to contest from Ghasipura or the Bhandaripokhari assembly seat in Bhadrak district?
Niranjan Patnaik has a long electoral history, having secured victory four times from the Ramachandrapur assembly seat in 1980, 1985, 1995, and 2004.
Following delimitation in 2009, the Ramachandrapur assembly segment was renamed as the Ghasipura constituency. His traditional rival, Badri Patra, also tasted success in Ghasipura in 1990 and 2000. However, since 2009, Badri Patra has consistently clinched victories in the Ghasipura seat, securing comfortable margins in the 2014 and 2019 elections.
In the last election, Niranjan contested in Ghasipura but faced defeat at the hands of BJD’s Badri Patra by a margin of 32,000 votes. Interestingly, Niranjan garnered over 52,336 votes, often referred to as his “pocket votes.” Additionally, he also contested from the Bhandaripokhari assembly seat in Bhadrak district in 2019, albeit without success.
As the upcoming election approaches, Niranjan may once again lock horns with his traditional rival, Badri Narayan Patra, in the Ghasipura assembly segment. The BJD has fielded Badri as its nominee for Ghasipura this time as well
