Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is gearing up for the upcoming dual electoral bout with its president Naveen Patnaik announcing candidates for both the Lok Sabha and the Odisha Assembly elections slated for May and June. The party has introduced a mix of seasoned politicians, new contenders, and a notable number of female aspirants as part of their strategy. With 21 Lok Sabha seats and 147 Assembly spots at stake, the battleground is set for a simultaneous four-phase voting process starting on May 13 and concluding on June 1.
In a move reflecting both consistency and renewal, Patnaik will enter the fray from Hinjili Assembly segment in Ganjam district, while reconfirming various ministers and Assembly Speaker Pramila Mallik who is running from Binjharpur in Jajpur district. The list of BJD Assembly candidates showcases a blend of 13 fresh faces with 12 women ready to contest. The party has also revealed its Lok Sabha candidates, pinpointing Pranab Prakash Das to challenge Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Sambalpur and former Indian Hockey Captain Dilip Tirky to contest against sitting MP Jual Oram in Sundergarh.
Highlighting its expansive reach, BJD has unveiled participation across various constituencies: prominent leaders and stalwarts returning to the political arena, fresh entrants including the offspring of well-known figures, and transfers such as Uma Samantray to Brahmagri seat. Illustrating a significant crossover, former Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik, after failing to secure Bhubaneswar in 2019, is now set to compete from Puri constituency on a BJD ticket against Sambit Patra of the BJP. Engaged in social work through Konark Foundation, aiding cancer patients, Patnaik is rooted in his humanitarian pursuits even as he gears up for another electoral bout.