More than 10,000 individuals have submitted applications for Biju Janata Dal (BJD) tickets for the forthcoming Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly elections, which are slated to occur simultaneously, as disclosed by a senior party official. The Odisha Assembly comprises 147 MLAs, while the state holds 21 Lok Sabha MP seats.
According to BJD’s organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das, the pool of applicants encompasses various professionals, demonstrating a strong interest in securing party tickets for the impending polls. Das expressed confidence in BJD’s prospects, asserting that the party is poised for a significant triumph in the elections, buoyed by the support of Odisha’s 4.5 crore residents.
Emphasizing the populace’s inclination, Das indicated a prevailing sentiment to endorse Naveen Patnaik for an unprecedented sixth consecutive term as the chief minister. He touted the BJD’s readiness to secure a resounding victory in the upcoming electoral contests, citing numerous national-level surveys that have consistently ranked Naveen Patnaik as the foremost Chief Minister in the country.
Highlighting the BJD’s electoral prowess, Das pointed to the party’s commanding performance in the 2022 panchayat elections, securing over 52 percent of the votes. He affirmed the BJD’s preeminent status in Odisha’s political landscape, underscoring Naveen Patnaik’s stature as the preeminent leader in the state.
BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra outlined the criteria for candidate selection, emphasizing qualities such as electoral viability, party loyalty, and other relevant parameters. Conversely, Odisha BJP vice-president Lekhashree Samantasinghar derided the large number of applications for BJD tickets, drawing a comparison to a competitive examination where only a select few excel, expressing confidence in the BJP’s prospects in the impending elections.
In contrast, Congress Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar highlighted purported dissent within the BJD ranks, suggesting that several senior leaders are considering defection to the Congress. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Sarat Pattnayak disclosed that approximately 3,000 individuals, including professionals, have applied for Congress tickets in the state for the forthcoming Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly elections.