Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 21 Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituencies in Western Odisha. This constituency covers the whole Sambalpur district and parts of Deogarh and Angul districts, presently comprises the Kuchinda, Rengali(SC), Sambalpur, Rairakhol, Deogarh, Chhendipada(SC), and Athmalik legislative assembly segments.

Over the years, the Sambalpur constituency has witnessed a dynamic shift in party dominance. During the 1990s, the Congress party held sway in Sambalpur, consistently securing electoral victories. However, the winds of change swept through the region in 1998, as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) tasted victory for the first time. This marked a significant shift in the political landscape.

In subsequent years, the BJD continued to assert its presence. BJD leader Prasanna Acharya emerged victorious in both the 1999 and 2004 elections, consolidating the party's position in Sambalpur.

The pendulum swung once more in 2009, as the Congress made a spirited comeback. Their candidate, Amarnath Pradhan, clinched the seat, signaling a resurgence for the grand old party.

However, the 2014 Lok Sabha elections witnessed a seismic shift. The Biju Janta Dal fielded Nagendra Pradhan, who secured victory.

In the most recent Parliamentary election, 2019, the BJP maintained its hold on the constituency, but the sitting MP Nitish Gangadeb has drawn flak for reported non-performance. Of the seven Assembly seats falling under the Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency, in 2019, the BJP won three seats — Sambalpur, Rengali, and Deogarh while the BJD won four – Kuchinda, Rairakhol, Chhendipada and Athmallik.

BJD’s Bobby Takes on BJP’s Pradhan in Sambalpur Battle

The Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency in Odisha is gearing up for a significant battle. The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) recently announced its list of candidates, and Pranab Prakash Das (popularly known as Bobby), the party’s organizational secretary and sitting Jajpur MLA, will be contesting against Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the BJP’s candidate for the seat.

Pranab Prakash Das’s nomination was expected, given his role as the district observer in Sambalpur last year. Despite being an unconventional choice due to his coastal background, the BJD strategically decided to field Bobby against Pradhan.

Bobby VS Dharmendra Pradhan:

Bobby, the son of late Janata Dal leader Ashok Das, has a political legacy. He is a three-time legislator and is considered a good organizer and go-getter. In 2019, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik elevated Bobby to the position of organizational secretary, specially created for him. Dharmendra Pradhan, a Union Minister, who last contested the Assembly elections from the Pallahara seat in 2009 and lost, is returning to electoral politics after a 15-year hiatus from a seat where the caste arithmetic, dominated by the OBC Chasa (farmer) community to which he belongs, is said to be in his favour.

Challenge for BJP:

The incumbent BJP MP, Nitish Gangadeb, faces criticism for alleged non-performance during his tenure. Party workers and voters express dissatisfaction, and there is considerable anger. In response, the BJP has fielded Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as their candidate. However, despite being a Union Minister for such a long period and a core member of the BJP party that has been in power for a decade, his contributions to Sambalpur remain underwhelming. Dharmendra Pradhan has not done anything for his birthplace. Be it National Highways, railway line (Talcher-Bimalagarh), central schools, medical colleges, or hospitals…, nothing he has contributed.

Conclusion:

The election in Sambalpur is scheduled for the sixth phase on May 25. Bobby’s influence within the party makes him a strong contender. The BJD aims to mobilize cadre support for him. While the Lok Sabha fight will be tough, the BJD is also focused on winning Assembly seats. The BJP, the other hand, will concentrate on promoting Dharmendra Pradhan, their prominent face in the state. The BJD, a regional party, seeks greater representation in parliament to advocate for the state’s welfare. Let’s await the people of Sambalpur’s decision and see if they choose to empower the BJD.