Sambit Patra is expected to defeat BJD’s Arup Patnaik and Congress’s Jay Narayan Patnaik, according to the exit poll by India Today-Axis My India.
In Brief
- BJP’s Sambit Patra emerges as a strong contender in the Puri Lok Sabha contest.
- Likely to win against BJD’s Arup Patnaik and Congress’s Jay Narayan Patnaik.
- BJD’s stronghold on Puri since 2009 may end with this election.
New Delhi – BJP leader Sambit Patra is anticipated to secure the Puri Lok Sabha seat in Odisha, potentially ending the 15-year dominance of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the constituency, according to India Today-Axis My India exit poll predictions.
The poll suggests that Sambit Patra has become a formidable contender in what is seen as a triangular contest in this significant pilgrimage town.
Patra is expected to defeat BJD’s Arup Patnaik and Congress’s Jay Narayan Patnaik in Puri, as per the survey.
Modi 3.0, Brought to You by South, Bengal, and Odisha: Axis My India Exit Poll
In the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and simultaneous Assembly polls, Odisha has been a focal point, especially given the fluctuating relationship between the BJP and BJD. Despite initial talks of an alliance, no agreement was reached.
During the final stages of the campaign, the two parties engaged in heated exchanges, notably after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments about BJD chief and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s health. Modi speculated about possible conspiracies by Patnaik’s close aides, which prompted a sharp rebuttal from Patnaik.
Adding to the controversy, Sambit Patra mistakenly referred to Lord Jagannath as a devotee of PM Modi, leading to significant backlash. Patra apologized publicly and undertook a three-day fast to atone for his statement.
The BJD, once a part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), parted ways before the 2009 elections. The BJP failed to win any seats in Odisha in 2009 and secured only one seat in 2014 despite the Modi wave. However, in 2019, the BJP’s performance improved, winning eight seats while the BJD secured 12.
Sambit Patra narrowly lost to BJD’s Pinaki Misra by 11,714 votes in the previous election, but this time, he appears poised for a breakthrough victory in Puri.
