Tough battle ahead for BJD and BJP in Odisha’s Sambalpur

In the heart of mineral-rich western Odisha, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan faces a tough battle in the closely watched Lok Sabha contest against BJD’s Pranab Prakash (Bobby) Das. The margin of victory in the last two polls was narrow, indicating a fierce competition ahead.

Despite being from Angul, over 100 km away, Pradhan is confident of victory with support from senior BJP leaders like Amit Shah. The recent development projects by the government in the region, including the renovation of the Samaleswari temple and the inauguration of the IIM campus, have further influenced the voters’ sentiment.

The failed BJP-BJD alliance has intensified the rivalry, with both parties aiming to secure Odisha’s crucial seats. With a neck-to-neck contest expected, the BJP’s strong campaigning and financial resources may give them a slight edge in the election.