Bhubaneswar, March 4: The political landscape in Paradip is abuzz with speculation about joining of Congress leader Bapi Sarkhel in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
According to sources, Bapi Sarkhel would join BJP. If he joins the saffron party, it will have far-reaching implications in the Paradip assembly segment.
Bapi Sarkhel, who has remained tight-lipped about this development, had previously dropped hints that he was parting ways with the Congress. His potential shift to the BJP could lead to a rebellion among aspirants vying for the BJP ticket.
On the other side of the political spectrum, BJD's incumbent MLA Sambit Routray is facing challenges within his own party. Rivals are actively opposing his candidature, and internal conflicts persist.
Recently, disgruntled BJD leaders convened a meeting at the Private Kalyani Mandap in Kujanga, vehemently opposing Routray’s candidacy.
Interestingly, the BJD in Paradip is divided into three distinct camps. Basanta Biswal, the chairman of Paradip Municipality, leads one faction. Rajya Sabha Member Debashis Nayak heads another group. The third camp is led by labour leader and state BJD executive member Santosh Patnaik.
Notably, these camps have no significant political ties with MLA Sambit Routray. If Bapi Sarkhel indeed joins the BJP, it could alter the political dynamics significantly in the Paradip assembly constituency during the upcoming elections.
