By SANTOSH MOHANTY
As the Panchayat elections are drawing near, all eyes are riveted on the political scenario of Athamallik region from which the former Biju Janata Dal(BJD) legislator Sanjib Sahu who has recently joined Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) along with his bandwagon.
Sahu had remained disgruntled over the years for allegedly being sidelined by top BJD leaders including the party supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. It was alleged that Sahu was among the leaders who were responsible for carrying out the midnight drama in the State Capital Bhubaneswar to oust Chief Minister some years ago while he was on a tour abroad.
Political analysts said it is premature to say if Sanjib Sahu could lead the saffron party to win Athamallik seat, but added that this would be definitely be a prestige issue for the seasoned leader who had successfully led BJD in the region for years.
Top brasses of BJP in the meanwhile, has indicated that the party will fight polls in Athamallik assembly constituency under the leadership of Sanjib Sahu in the upcoming Panchayat and Urban polls. If media reports are to believed, then Sahu has even hinted that the saffron party has reposed faith on him in this aspect and he is given a free hand to go in for permutations and combinations to hit the jackpot. He has even declared that his party will win five out of seven zones in the upcoming Panchayat elections under his leadership.
Political analysts maintained that by exiting BJD and joining BJP, Sanjib Sahu and his supporters have successfully made a dent in the electoral prospects of his erstwhile party, but it is still premature to conclude that he will downcast the image of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who is popular to the core.
