May 16th 2024.
The first phase of voting in Odisha has come to an end, with four Lok Sabha constituencies and 28 Assembly segments participating on May 13. The second phase is scheduled for May 20. Although the main contenders in this election are the BJD, BJP, and Congress, there are also several Independent candidates who could potentially disrupt the outcome. While they may not have the same resources as the major parties, these candidates are determined to make a statement and challenge the dominance of their opponents.
Among these underdog candidates are individuals from various backgrounds, including tea stall owners, farmers, plumbers, and even a lawyer. Despite their limited resources, they refuse to back down and are hopeful that a victory could lead to opportunities within the mainstream political scene. On the other hand, some prominent leaders from the 'Big Three' have been left out of the nomination process and have chosen to run as Independent candidates.
The list of rebel candidates includes Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Anubhav Patnaik, Kharbela Swain, Sanjib Biswal, and Premananda Nayak. With a strong support base of their own, these candidates have the potential to pull off major upsets in their respective constituencies. For example, Soumya Ranjan is running for the Ghasipura Assembly segment, while Anubhav is contesting from Khandapada. Sanjib and Kharbela, on the other hand, are vying for the Erasema-Balikuda and Balasore Assembly segments, respectively.
While the ruling BJD has managed to appease rebel candidates by offering them important positions within the party, the Congress and BJP have not been as fortunate. In fact, many of their members have chosen to run as Independent candidates after being denied nominations. According to political analyst Sudarshan Chhotoray, these Independent candidates could play a significant role in at least 30 Assembly constituencies and potentially disrupt the results for heavyweight candidates from different parties.
Senior political expert Prabhukalyan Mohapatra believes that candidates who are genuinely popular and committed to addressing the issues faced by the people can succeed without relying on the support of a political party. He also adds that in the case of a hung Assembly, these Independent candidates could hold the key to forming a government, making them a valuable asset for all political parties.
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