With Naveen in fray, people expect solution to Kantabanji's woes

Bhubaneswar: People and BJD workers are upbeat with chief minister Naveen Patnaik announcing to contest from Kantabanji assembly constituency in western Odisha on Wednesday.

Kantabanji, a bustling business town, faces numerous challenges that require long-term solutions. The town serves as a transit point for thousands of rural seasonal migrants, who travel to southern states for brick making.

It is also known for its cotton production.

“We are extremely happy that CM will fight from the seat. If the seat goes to BJD, hooliganism and political violence will come to an end. Peace and tranquillity will return to Kantabanji town and the constituency as well and businessmen can do their work without fear or apprehension,” said BJD leader and former Kantabanji MLA Ayub Khan. Khan expects that he will be asked to contest on a BJD ticket when CM vacates the seat after winning from both Hinjili and Kantabanji.

Umakanta Dharua, a tea shop owner, expressed his happiness over the chief minister’s candidacy, stating that their constituency now has a prestige tag. He hopes that some long-standing problems will be addressed.

The region has been grappling with seasonal migration from three blocks of the constituency, and people have been demanding additional irrigation in Muribahal, Turekela, and Bangomunda blocks. The chief minister's candidacy has raised hopes that these issues will receive adequate attention.

Migration researcher Umi Daniel, who has extensive experience working in the region, believes that there will be a significant decrease in distress migration as more focus will be laid on livelihood aspects. He also expects better enforcement to curb illegal migration.

However, opposition leaders argue that people will not be fooled by the BJD’s western Odisha strategy. Congress leader Santosh Singh Saluja, a four-time MLA from the seat, plans to raise the issues of migration and irrigation as poll planks. BJP leader K V Singhdeo expressed doubts about the chief minister’s success.

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