OdishaPlus Bureau
One of the most exciting assembly elections in Odisha in recent memory, Patkura by-poll results will be out in a few hours. The big question in the minds of the people of Odisha and political observers alike has been: whether Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s friend-turned-foe Bijoy Mohapatra will finally win his first election in 19 years and break the two-decade-long jinx. While that is a million-dollar question, fingers are crossed to finally know who the victor is and who the vanquished.
It goes unsaid that the Patkura by-poll was a high-stake affair, particularly in case of Bijay because this is going to be the last election for him. The result will also be seen as a reflection of Patnaik’s charisma and the newfound bonhomie between the ruling party and the main opposition BJP. While the contest in this politically sensitive seat is mainly between BJD and BJP, the Congress has been relegated to the background, decimated as it has been over the years.
In retrospect, both the BJD and the BJP had carried out elaborate, high-pitch campaigns in the constituency, putting their top leaders and best resources. Even the enthusiasm among the general public has crossed all limits. Interestingly, the whole state is watching the results of Patkura by-poll reasons of which are not far to seek.
Arguments have been proffered against the ruling BJD’s determination to win this particular seat when there is absolutely no need of numbers with the BJD having 118 legislators already in its kitty. It is true that results will provide no significant arithmetical value to the BJD, which gained a robust three-fourths majority in the Assembly in the April-May Lok Sabha election. But to give a walk-over to the BJP carries not much sense. Why shouldn’t the BJD fight a by-poll as seriously as the major election? The BJD is absolutely within its reserve to put a strong fight to win the Patkura by-poll.
A party having been elected to govern the state with more than the required majority can’t afford to lose even a single seat just two months after the general election. More than the number game in the Assembly; it is widely known that the Patkura by-poll is a prestige battle between Patnaik and Mohapatra, who has been chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s most outspoken detractor in Odisha.
Seen realistically, the embarrassment of losing the Patkura seat would actually be greater for the ruling party. The BJP, despite the BJD’s support to ensure the victory of a Rajya Sabha candidate from the party last month and the increased bonhomie, too had held several campaign rallies in Patkura addressed by top leaders, including Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Pratap Sarangi and MP Aparajita Sarangi. Even though both parties are confident of winning, the result is likely to bring to an end the Naveen-Bijay enmity.