Jhina Hikaka ready for election battle

BHUBANESWAR: BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka, who was abducted by Maoists in 2012, is keen to contest assembly elections from Laxmipur constituency this time too.
Around 80 gun-toting rebels, belonging to Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC), had kidnapped the lawmaker while he was returning to Laxmipur from Semiliguda in Koraput district on March 24, 2012.
Hikaka was released on April 26 after spending 33 days in captivity.Since then he has been residing in Bhubaneswar. He also got his wife, a sikhya sahayak, transferred to the state capital.
"I see no reason to stay away from the polls. I am ready to face the consequences," Hikaka told TOI over phone from Berhampur on Wednesday. Hikaka was in Berhampur to attend a rally addressed by BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik.
"I recently visited my constituency and stayed there for two days. I am actively involved in party works in the region. My supporters are firmly behind me. They want me to enter the fray again. I am ready for the fight though the final decision on party ticket lies with the BJD president," he said.
On whether he was apprehensive about the Left-wing extremists, the MLA said, "I am not thinking about that. I stand for justice and have been working for the welfare of the people."
Before being freed by the rebels, Hikaka gave a written undertaking that he would resign from the assembly and the BJD, the AOBSZC had then said in a statement.
Hikaka and his family were shifted to Bhubaneswar a few days after his release.