Monday’s vote will settle a question intriguing Odisha: Can BJP national vice president Baijayant Jay Panda, chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s blue eyed boy turned archenemy, break his new party’s jinx in Kendrapara? For the past one week, the entire state’s interest had been riveted on the pulsating buildup to the Kendrapara tussle, billed as “Jay Panda vs Naveen Patnaik” although Panda’s actual rival was the actor and BJD nominee Anubhav Mohanty. “Although Anubhav is the candidate, Naveen has been able to send a strong message that the real battle is between him and Jay Panda,” said Alekh Das, a local businessman. Panda, who won the seat in 2014 as the BJD nominee, had quit the party last year after a falling out with the chief minister. Kendrapara has turned into a prestige battle between Panda and Naveen, a chance to settle scores.

Source: The Telegraph April 30, 2019 01:41 UTC