By Our Correspondent
KENDRAPARA/BHUBANESWAR: With 2 years left for Lok Sabha Polls and sitting BJD MP, Anubhav Mohanty may find it difficult for re-election from Kendrapara considering his distance from the ruling BJD, forcing the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to look for an alternative for Biju Babu’s Karmabhoomi, the political atmosphere charged up following Sunday’s swearing in ceremony, where, 2 from Kendrapara, Pratap Deb and Atanu Nayak took oath of office as Cabinet Ministers.
Since BJP yet to consider its National VP Baijayant Jay Panda for Rajya Sabha Berth, the former MP has been consolidating his base in his former Constituency Kendrapara, the current reshuffle in Odisha State Cabinet, has created a lot of speculations and some saying, 2 Cabinet berths to this district, bears significance ahead of 2024 battles. Media grapevines are hitting headlines everyday about possible candidature of Mission Shakti head Sujata Kartikeyan , wife of 5T Secretary , V K Pandian for Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat.
The sudden turn of events and Aul’s Pratap Deb and Mahakalpada’s Atanu Nayak taking oath as Cabinet Ministers speaks about BJD’s game plan for 2024 Lok Sabha polls for Kendrapara. By inducting Nayak and Deb, Naveen Patnaik wants a balance to defuse infighting and it was clear message for them to work united and give the results in ground.
‘With BJD looking for Anubhav Mohanty’s alternative and measuring support base of BJP National VP Baijayant Panda in Kendrapara, ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the 2 Cabinet berths seems largely intended to bring BJD into one fold and ensure Jay Panda’s defeat if fielded as BJP candidate.
“It was open Aul MLA Deb and Mahakalpada MLA Nayak not shared good terms but to avoid Supremo’s wrath, they are now come together and got Cabinet berths,” sources said.
Chief Minister Patnaik his first meeting, asked the newly appointed Ministers to keep away from controversies and not to create any issue which will affect the Government’s image. With clear whip, no infighting seems may not be tolerated by the BJD Boss.
“With now Minister Industries, Energy , Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Pratap Keshari Deb and Minister Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare, Co-operation ,Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak in Naveen Patnaik’s new team, tough time ahead for Baijayant Panda in Kendrapara for 2024 Lok Sabha Polls,” sources added.
