Bhubaneswar, April, 29: The Nimapara assembly seat in Odisha has now been a focal point of political activity in the recent elections.
The ruling BJD has made an interesting move by changing its traditional candidate, Samir Ranjan Dash, who had consistently won from the Nimapara seat thrice in the past (in 2009, 2014, and 2019).
Instead, BJD has fielded Dilip Nayak, a turncoat who joined the party just before this election after leaving the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Dilip Nayak, the BJD candidate, has been actively campaigning in Nimapara. He recently organized a massive road show, accompanied by BJD MP candidate Rajashree Malik, BJD district observer Ranendra Pratap Swain and other party members.
Hundred of party workers participated in the rally, which covered areas like Haripur Village, Khelar, Ratilo, and Nimapara. Dilip Nayak even went on a Padayatra to connect with voters and seek their support.
Meanwhile, the Congress party candidate, Sidharth Routray, the son of veteran leader Suresh Routray has aggressively campaigned in the same segment. He aims to expose what he claims is a secret alliance between the BJD and BJP, alleging that both parties have been looting the state for decades.
Sidhartha has recently visited various temples in the GOP area, accompanied by local Congress leaders. Sidharth, highly educated and the USA returnee is also well accepted by the voters in the area as new face.
Similarly, BJP candidate Pravati Parida has also geared up her campaign in the constituency.
In the previous 2019 Odisha assembly elections, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate Samir Ranjan Das had emerged victorious from the Nimapara seat, securing 91,160 votes.
The runner-up in that election was BJP candidate Pravati Parida, who received 59,152 votes.
It’s clear that the Nimapara assembly seat is witnessing intense competition, with candidates from different parties vying for the voters’ attention.
