Bhubaneswar: As the stage is set for counting of results for the Bijepur by-elections tomorrow, all eyes are on the performance of the three major political parties that were in the fray. While the ruling Biju Janata Dal is all set to retain the seat, the Bharatiya Janata Party may again be at the second place. Regarding Congress, it has become very difficult for the party to even get the number of votes it had got last time.
The charismatic leadership of Naveen Patnaik had helped the party to retain the numero uno position in the last General and Assembly elections in Odisha. This time, the same trend will continue in Bijepur as people want development in the area. Naveen has categorically promised to look after the development of Bijepur himself to which the people of Bijepur seem to be happy.
According to political analysts, Rita Sahu is likely to get votes anywhere between One lakh twenty thousand votes to one lakh 30 thousand votes.
On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party is expected to get less votes from the last time. BJP candidate Sanat Gadtia may get less than 35 thousand votes. Though many heavy weights campaigned for Gadtia, the mood seems to be in favor of the ruling party. Congress’s Dilip Panda is fighting a losing battle as he is expected to get less than 8000 votes. Despite, Pradesh Congress trying very hard to come back with Bijepur by-polls, it is very difficult for the party get even a respectable number of votes.
The results are surely going to reaffirm that Naveen remains the all time favorite and the people of Odisha want his leadership in the development of the state.