Candidates begin door-to-door campaign in Kalahandi

The Pioneer, April 8, 2009
Bikash Khemka | Bhawanipatna

Hardly a week is left for the elections and candidates in Kalahandi district are spending sleepless nights and conducting door-to-door campaigning. The voters are really enjoying when the candidates request them for votes with folded hands after a five-year-long gap.

When voters complain about their problem nobody listens but when election comes at least the candidates promises to fulfill the voters' needs. After election the process continues for years and the voters' dream that someday their problems would be fulfilled by the next leader.

For Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat a triangular fight between BJP, BJD and Congress is expected. BJP's Bikram Kesari Deo is confident as he has already been winning the LS seat in the district for the past 15 years. But still he is trying his best to win the election.

Bhakta Das of Congress, who will be contesting for fourth time, managed to get a ticket after a long battle at Centre and State. Some party members are still reluctant to campaign for him as they were also aspirants for MLA seats. But being futuristic they are unwillingly managing the whole affairs. Some of them have already joined the BJD. Das had gone on a two-day visit to Nuapada and Khariar where sources said a large chunk of voters are expected to cast their votes in his favour this time.

The voters, most of whom belonging to BPL families, have benefited from the Rs 2 a kilo rice during the Naveen Pattnaik regime, would cast their votes to BJD. The party candidate this time is Subash Nayak who jumped from the Congress in the last moment of declaration of Congress tickets. No doubt Subash will also pull large number of voters in his favour under the BJD banner. Subash Nayak is always in touch with the people through letters.

The old BJD members also joined the Congress when they were betrayed by BJD supremo and did not get a ticket. The poor people said irrespective of which 'Neta' came to power; their financial condition would remain the same - come rain or sun they have to eke out their living as daily wage earners.