Times of India, May 20, 2013
BHUBANESWAR: Arka Keshari Deo, the royalscion of Kalahandi and son of former Kalahandi MP Bikram Keshari Deo, joined the BJD here on Sunday in the presence of party president Naveen Patnaik.
BJD is believed to have roped in Arka to take onCongress' Bhakta Charan Das for the Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat. Bikram Keshari, who died in 2009, was Kalahandi MP thrice (in 1998, 2000, 2004) defeating Das. In 2009, following the split in the BJD-BJP alliance, Das won the election beating him, with BJD's Subhas Nayak finishing third.
Sources said BJD is aiming to improve its strength as Arka could gain from royal loyalists. "Since the royal family in the district has a fixed vote bank, it will add to the party's fortunes in the next election. A triangular fight in Kalahandi could be a boon for BJD," said a BJD leader. Kalahandi Lok Sabha segment compromises five assembly constituencies in Kalahandi district and two inNuapada district.
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