Triangular contest on cards in Kandhamal

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, Sep 18: Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency in Odisha, where bye-election is scheduled to be held on October 15, is all set to witness an exciting triangular contest involving the three major parties – Biju Janata Dal, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party.Leaders of the three parties have already started the process of holding discussions about the prevailing political situation in the State in general and Kandhamal Lok Sabha seat in particular before finalising the name of their nominees.The bye-election in Kandhamal was announced following the death of BJD leader Hemendra Chandra Singh who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kandhamal just four months ago.The BJD, which is hopeful of victory, is likely to field Hemendra Singh’s widow Pratyusha Rajeshwari Singh.By fielding Pratyusha Singh the BJD is aiming to draw sympathy votes because its image has been tarnished in the State in view of the chit fund scam probe and the land scam involving party leaders.Congress is likely to field a candidate who belongs to the region as the party has almost decided not to field Harihar Karan who had finished second in the last elections held earlier this year.The name of former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Bhakta Charan Das is also discussed for Kandhamal this time.Das had finished second in Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat in the last general election.The BJP too is likely to field a new candidate in place of Sukanta Panigrahi who contested the last elections.The party might field a better candidate since it was hopeful of winning Kandhamal by highlighting the achievements of the Narendra Modi Government at the Centre.Ashok Sahu of the BJP, who contested from Kandhamal in 2009, has also expressed his desire to be the party nominee for the coming bye-election.Security preparedness of the State police in all the seven Assembly segments under Kandhamal Lok Sabha seat has already been reviewed by Director General of Police Sanjiv Marik.Marik visited Kandhamal and held a review meeting in Phulbani town.The meeting was attended by senior police officers of the region.