Kotpad unit irked over 'outsider'

KORAPUT: The decision to field Koraput MP Jayaram Pangi's son Ashok Pangi from Kotpad assembly seat has not gone down well with BJD workers.
Terming him as an outsider, they accused Jayaram of promoting dynasty rule. His nephew Prafulla Pangi is contesting from Pottangi assembly seat.
At a meeting on Wednesday, party workers from across the assembly constituency unanimously decided to oppose Ashok's candidature."There were many locals aspirants for the seat, but an outsider was picked to contest the polls. Ashok's contribution to the constituency is nil. His only identity is that he is the son of BJD Koraput district president Jayaram Pangi," said party's Kotpad Town president Sudhir Mohanty.
A senior party leader said they were ready to accept any local candidate for the seat. "Kotpad has always been Congress' bastion. We worked very hard to strengthen BJD's position here. The party has let us down by fielding an outsider," he said.
The Congress has fielded Chadrasekhar Majhi from the seat. He is the brother of sitting Kotpad MLA Basudev Majhi, who is bedridden.
A total of 1, 80, 036 voters will exercise their franchise on April 10.
Similar resentment is brewing among BJD workers in Laxmipur after the party named Hema Gamang, wife of former chief minister Giridhar Gamang, for the tribal seat. "The state leadership is being misguided. Hema Gamang is not a resident of the district. We may decide against working for her in the election," said BJD workers of Dasmantpur block, who staged a demonstration against her nomination at Koraput on Tuesday.
These are not the only seat where BJD leadership has faced opposition. The party had to change its nominee for Kabisuryanagar assembly segment after workers staged a dharna, demanding ticket to nine-time MLA V Sugnana Kumari Deo.
The party had earlier named Latika Pradhan for the seat, citing that Sugnana was unwilling to contest the polls due to ill-health.