Odisha Assembly Elections 2024: BJD Fields CM Naveen Patnaik From Kantabanji Along With Hinjili; Here's Why

In a move aimed at countering the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) electoral dominance in western Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has announced Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik as its candidate for the Kantabanji Assembly constituency in Balangir district.

With Patnaik now contesting from two seats in the upcoming Assembly elections — Hinjili, his stronghold in Ganjam district, and Kantabanji — the BJD aims to capitalise on the chief minister's popularity in the state.

The selection of Kantabanji also holds strategic significance as it is positioned near three Lok Sabha constituencies — Kalahandi, Balangir, and Bargarh — all won by the BJP in the 2019 elections.

In a departure from his previous candidacy in Bijepur, located at the far end of the region, the BJD aims to leverage Patnaik's momentum across all western Odisha Lok Sabha constituencies, reported The Hindu.

Also, following the inauguration of three major irrigation projects, Patnaik is set to embark on a whirlwind tour to connect with voters.

The irrigation projects are — the Gangadhar Meher Lift Irrigation project in Bargarh, Lower Suktel Irrigation Project in Balangir and Upper Indravati Lift Canal system in Kalahandi.

Additionally, the BJD has swapped candidates for Sambalpur and Rairakhol constituencies, considering their winning potential.

Veteran leader Prasanna Acharya will now contest from Rairakhol, while Rohit Pujari replaces him in Sambalpur.

Both constituencies fall under the Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat, where Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan faces BJD's Pranab Prakash Das.

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