Bhubaneswar, December, 2: In Cuttack district, the Banki assembly constituency is one of the important seats for Congress. In the last few elections, Banki Congress leader Dr. Debasis Patnaik has been giving a good fight to the ruling BJD. But his role this time is not clear yet.
On the other hand, despite his presence, youth leader Smruti Ranjan Lenka has been mobilizing a parallel organization in the constituency. National Youth Congress General Secretary and State Youth Congress President Lenka visiting various panchayats of Banki and Dampada blocks for the last two years. He is in the good book of the PCC Chief and is also optimistic of getting a party ticket from this constituency. But it is said to be difficult for Smruti to ge the ticket in the presence of Debasis in the party.
Debasis was elected as MLA from Banki in 2004 as a Congress candidate. He also contested elections from Banki in 2009 and 2019 on Congress ticket and was in second position. So, the Banki Congress is said to be under his control.. But since 2019, Debasis's role has not been so effective. It is rumoured that Debasis is in contact with some of the ruling BJD leaders, and may change his sides in the coming election.
