BJP’s Odisha Face Dharmendra Pradhan vs BJD’s 'Bobby' Das: The Sambalpur Showdown
The battleground is set in Sambalpur, Odisha, as BJP heavyweight Dharmendra Pradhan squares off against BJD's Pranab Prakash Das, popularly known as Bobby. With the BJP leveraging the "outsider" tag against Das and the BJD banking on its organizational strength and welfare schemes, the electoral contest is heating up. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during an election rally (left); Pandian and Bobby during a roadshow in Sambalpur town on May 19. The Electoral Landscape Sambalpur, historically a BJD stronghold, has witnessed electoral volatility in recent years. Since 2009, a new MP has been elected in each election cycle, reflecting the region's dynamic political landscape. While the BJP's Nitesh Ganga Deb emerged victorious in 2019, this year's battle pits Pradhan against Das, a seasoned BJD leader. Pradhan vs Das: The Contenders Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP's prominent face in Odisha politics, returns to the state's electoral arena after 15 years. In co...