Prasanta Kumar Dash
Bhubaneswar, April 19:Star-couple namely Varsha Priyadarshini and Anubhav Mohanty who were recently separated judicially, has added a new flavour in Odisha politics
Anubhav Mohanty who was a two-time MP from the ruling BJD, has recently joined BJP following denial of ticket by the former to contest the Kendrapara Lok Sabha Constituency. Rather, the BJD has awarded the seat to Anshuman Mohanty, son of Janata Dal heavyweight Nalini Mohanty who was once upon a time the closest person of former CM Biju Patnaik.
On the other hand, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received popular Odia actors Anubhav Mohanty, Arindam Roy and Sidhanta Mohapatra with a rousing welcome. However, BJP never considered the name of Anubhav for the Kendrapara Lok Sabha or Assembly Constituency. National Vice-President of the BJP, Baijayant Jaya Panda, who had previously locked his horn with Mohanty though Panda lost the poll with a sizeable margin. Similarly, Bhartruhari Mahatab, a six time MP form the BJD who quit the party for disgruntlement has already been declared as the BJP candidate for Cuttack Lok Sabha Segment, wherein Anubhav was born and brought up.
Political analysts speculate that the former parliamentarian might be rehabilitated in turn as an MP to Rajya Sabha, if the saffron party performs well in the eastern state. They believe that Anubhab would be focused as a star- campaigner and poster-boy for the upcomng polls.
On the other hand, Varsha Priyadarshini, the estranged wife of Anubhav, has joined the BJD. Meanwhile, she acted as an ambassador for the ruling BJD and the Odisha government in promoting women empowerment. Varsha starrer biopic based-on CM Naveen Patnaik’s residence ‘Naveen Niwas’ as a home to address problems of an unscripted rural girl, had made her closer to the heart of BJD supremo.
Varsha during her induction into the party, applauded the pleasant personality of Naveen terming him as a visionary and the most transparent CM she has ever seen. Among other leaderships, MP and party spokesperson Sasmit Patra recognized Barsha on the occasion describing her an industrious and a youth icon.
With the entry of Varsha in the state politics all of a sudden, that too a couple of days to Anubhav’s bidding bye-bye to the BJD, has prompted a mixed response among the people.
It is rumoured that Vasha may be fielded as BJD candidate from Barchama assembly seat.
