BJD Renominates Sitting MP Rajashree Mallick To Retain Stronghold Over Jagatsinghpur (image-Facebook/Dr Rajashree Mallick, MLA, Tirtol A/C)

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has nominated its sitting MP, Rajshree Mallick, as its candidate for the Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha seat, marking her second consecutive nomination. Reminiscent of the 2019 general elections, Mallick will face the BJP’s former MP, Bibhu Prasad Tarai, once again.

The previous elections witnessed Mallick securing victory with a significant margin of nearly 2 lakh votes. Notably, the BJD maintains a stronghold over all seven assembly seats. The SC reserved constituency comprises Vidhan Sabhas, including Niali (SC), Paradeep, Tirtol (SC), Balikuda-Erasama, Jagatsinghpur, Kakatpur (SC), and Nimapara.

Representing the BJD, Mallick pushed for a bill for the reservation of women in Parliament. The incumbent MP highlighted that the state of Odisha and its Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, stood for women’s empowerment, citing the example of the BJD fielding 33 percent of women in the 2019 polls. She further added that the CM’s government policy of reserving 50 percent of seats in panchayat elections resulted in over 55 percent of women being elected representatives.

The 55-year-old BJD candidate previously served as an MLA from the legislative assembly of Tirtol in 2014.

According to political analysts, the elections may have a strong influence due to the BJP and PM Modi, increasing the chances of Tarai’s victory. However, Mallick too gives a tough fight. Thanking the state CM for her renomination, the sitting MP expressed confidence in winning by a record margin once again. “I have undertaken various development activities during my tenure as MLA and MP, and I am determined to win with the blessings of all the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections,” she said, as quoted by The New Indian Express.

The Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha constituency has over 20.63 percent SC population, 1.04 percent ST population, and 5 percent Muslims.