Odisha Elections 2024: High-Stakes Showdown Between Dharmendra Pradhan and Pranab Prakash Das in Sambalpur

Bhubaneswar : All eyes are on the Sambalpur parliamentary seat which is heading to the polls on May 25. The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown between two political heavyweights: Union Minister and senior BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan and BJD organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das. Their campaigns are heavily focused on issues concerning farmers, weavers, and various government schemes.

The entry of former Sambalpur MP Nagendra Pradhan into the race has further intensified the competition. Having recently left the ruling party in the state to join the Congress just days before filing his nomination, his presence has added an extra layer of intrigue to the already heated contest.

The Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat epitomizes the larger power struggle in Odisha, featuring two formidable contenders aiming to reshape the political landscape. The ruling BJD has made a bold move by fielding Pranab Prakash Das, a three-time MLA from Jajpur, in Sambalpur—a key political hub in western Odisha with a strong bias towards the state’s coastal region. Pranab has proven his electoral prowess on multiple occasions, showcasing his adeptness in organizing and managing campaigns.

On the other side, Dharmendra Pradhan, union minister and a Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar, is making a return to direct elections after 15 years. His last attempt was an unsuccessful run in the 2009 assembly elections from the Pallahara segment. Unlike Pranab, Dharmendra doesn’t face the outsider label, having been elected from the former Deogarh Lok Sabha seat in 2004.

This intense battle in Sambalpur is critical, as the outcome will significantly influence the political trajectories of both Dharmendra and Pranab.