Bhubaneswar, March 28: The ruling Biju Janata Dal has announced candidates for six Assembly segments of Cuttack Parliamentary constituency and yet to announce names of party candidates for rest three Assembly constituencies – Barabati-Cuttack, Salipur and Mahanga.
Debasish Samantaray who unsuccessfully contested the Barabati-Cuttack seat has been elected to Rajya Sabha and the party has decided to replace him with a new leader. However, it’s not clear whether the BJD will field a young leader from Cuttack city or an outsider will be rehabilitated. Party insiders say that a new and young leader of the city will stand in Barabati-Cuttack.
Similarly, the party may replace Pratap Jena in Mahanga by one of his family members following proceeding of criminal case against him. The veteran leaders experience and organisational skill will help to win his kin, say political observers adding that Jena is a popular leader in Cuttack district and there are chances of party repeating him this time despite all allegations which are yet to be proved.
In Salipur constituency, the sitting MLA Prasanta Behera has been facing opposition by new aspirants and the BJD infighting has delayed the announcement of candidate from here. The party is yet to decide on the Assembly segment.
