In Jajpur LS seat, BJD banking on devpt works, BJP on Modi factor

Bhubaneswar/Jajpur: Two former senior govt officers are locked in a battle for supremacy in Jajpur (SC) Lok Sabha seat, scheduled to go to polls in the last phase on June 1. Sitting BJD MP Sarmistha Sethi, a seasoned politician and former Odisha Financial Service officer, is up against BJP’s Rabindra Narayan Behera, a debutant and former director of National Informatics Centre (NIC).Despite the fear of anti-incumbency, Sethi is confident of victory for a second consecutive time. She is banking on improved infrastructure, education and healthcare services. Besides, her deep-rooted connection with the local population and her understanding of regional socio-economic challenges have earned her a significant support base.

“Naveen Patnaik-led BJD govt built roads in rural and urban areas. Most of the villagers are getting drinking water from the pipeline as the govt has completed four mega drinking water projects in the district. The state govt has also set up a medical college in Jajpur besides implementing several development programmes and welfare schemes. The state govt’s commitment to the welfare of people will fetch us votes in the coming election,” Sethi said.Despite being a political novice, Behera’s technical acumen and vision for a digitally-empowered constituency resonate with the younger and more tech-savvy electorate. His agenda is focused on integrating advanced technology to address local issues, creating employment opportunities through IT initiatives, and enhancing transparency and efficiency in public services. “The state govt has failed to develop the parliamentary constituency. During our campaigning, we are exposing the failures of the BJD govt on various fronts. I am also banking on the Modi factor, which is prevalent in the constituency among a large section of voters. Corruption and unemployment are the major issues,” said Behera.Jajpur constituency has traditionally been a stronghold of the BJD due to the party’s consistent focus on regional development and social welfare. However, the BJP has been making inroads into Odisha’s political landscape, and Behera’s candidature is seen as a strategic move to capitalize on the party’s growing popularity. “The BJP candidate is a newcomer. He is not a match in terms of popularity and recognition in the constituency. The BJD’s couch symbol prevails here as this is the bastion of organizational secretary Pranab Prakash Das,” said Madan Mohan Jena (55), a hotel owner.All seven assembly constituencies under the Lok Sabha seat were won by the BJD in 2019. But the party has changed candidates in four assembly seats and this could lead to a tough contest.Also in fray is Congress candidate Anchal Das, fighting a grim battle with very little support base. Das had won from Jajpur parliamentary seat in 1996 on a Janata Dal ticket. Later, he joined the Congress.“The people are fed up with the BJD govt in the state and BJP at the Centre. Skyrocketing prices of essential commodities is a poll issue. Congress promised to launch a Mahalakshmi scheme and provide Rs 1 lakh per year to every poor family as an unconditional cash transfer. Both the BJD and BJP are the two sides of the same coin for which voters will vote for Congress,” hoped Das.
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