BJD yet to clear stand on Dhamnagar rebel nominee

BHUBANESWAR: The BJD is walking the tightrope in the run-up to the Dhamnagar byelection and dilly-dallying on action against its rebel leader Rajendra Das, who is contesting as an independent candidate against the party nominee Abanti Das.


BJD sources said any action against Rajendra for his revolt and anti-party activity during the campaign trail may cost the party dear and help him secure sympathy votes. Rajendra, a former MLA, has a strong vote base in Dhamnagar.

So far, Rajendra has neither spewed venom against the party nor Abanti during his campaign that he started on Tuesday. Abanti has also not made any personal remarks against Rajendra during her campaigning.

“The BJD is apprehensive that if it suspends or expels Rajendra now, this may help him encash on sympathy votes. By sparing Rajendra, the ruling party perhaps wants to create a confusion among voters, who would think that he is still in BJD. Assuming that Rajendra is in BJD, the voters would press the conch (BJD symbol) button,” Sambit Mohanty, a political analyst in Dhamnagar area said. Rajendra has been allotted boat as his electoral symbol.

Talks are also doing the rounds that the BJD has not thrown the towel yet and expects a comeback by Rajendra. Even though he did not withdraw his nomination papers, BJD plans to welcome him and get his support for Abanti if he changes his mind in the next two or three days. Voting is on November 3.

Rajendra reiterated he would fight independently. “I have received tremendous response during the campaigning. I am optimistic about my victory. People of Dhamnagar are my strength and star campaigners,” Rajendra said.

BJD asserted that Rajendra is not a threat to Abanti, even though political analysts assume split of BJD votes due to the internal conflict in the party. Many BJD heavyweights have been camping in Dhamnagar to deflect the dissidence factor and garner support for Abanti. “We (BJD) are not worried over Rajendra’s candidature. We are in a very good position and will win by a comfortable margin,” BJD MLA (Chandabali) Byomokesh Ray said.

BJP candidate Suraj Suryabanshi is leaving no stone unturned to retain Dhamnagar, which was represented by his father Bishnu Charan Sethi. Many senior BJP leaders have been camping in Dhamnagar to campaign for Suryabanshi.

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