BJD falters in most industrial hubs

The Hindu Business Lines,May 21, 2009

BHUBANESWAR: Despite getting a thumping majority in the twin Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in Orissa and trouncing rivals in most parts of the State, the ruling BJD has faltered in most emerging industrial hubs barring Kalinga Nagar in Jajpur district.


The party paid a heavy price in western region of State and in Kalahandi where Vedanta units are coming up and water is being allowed to be drawn from Hirakud reservoir. Speaker of the now-dissolved Orissa Assembly, Mr Kishore Kumar Mohanty, lost in ind ustrially developed Jharsugda to his Congress rival, Mr Naba Kumar Das, by over 22,000 votes.

“Mr Mohanty paid for his association with industrial houses while I made it a point to remain with the affected people,” Mr Das said adding villagers do not accept mega industries which affected their life and livelihood.

The Congress candidate, Mr Bhakta Charan Das, who spearheaded the anti-Vedanta campaign in tribal-dominated Kalahandi district, also won Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat by defeating BJD’s Mr Subhas Nayak by 1,54,037 votes.

Mr Bhakta Das had lost successive polls earlier before heading campaign against mining and industry in Kalahandi. Similarly, the BJD candidate and former minister Mr Balabhadra Majhi, a pro-industry leader, lost in Lanjigarh constituency, where Vedanta had installed its alumina refinery.