Which Party holds the edge for 2017 Panchayat Polls in Odisha?

Which party in Odisha has the clear edge in Panchayat polls? Is BJD assured of a massive win? Will Congress give it a tough fight? IS BJP doing enough to match its rivals?

Deepak Kumar Prusty: BJD will be the winner by hook or crook. Yes, both Congress and BJP will do better as compared to the last election.

Charulata Panigrahi: I am yet to find the man or a party who will make Odisha BJD mukta. Seems we have a clear winner here.

Sambit Nanda: BJD will come out as ultimate winner as BJP and Congress lag behind in ground level organization along with power as well as money.

Sanjay Kumar Pradhan: BJD and Congress have good ground level presence. They just need a good push and better candidates. Same does not apply to BJP. Although Dharmendra Pradhan has rejuvenated the party, thanks to the central schemes such as Ujala, Ujjwala and others. BJD is in disarray, but Opposition need to take advantage of the situation.

Gyanranjan Samal: BJD has a clear edge in Panchayat Polls as there is no major issue with opposition to counter the ruling party. Congress is on back foot. BJP may gain some seats, but BJD will win for sure.

Kailash Behera: BJD will be the winner. Because neither the Congress nor BJP has got an undisputed leader yet. However, BJP will give a tough fight and Congress may be wiped out this time.

BH V Nageswar Rao: BJD is sure to emerge as the winner. Division of opposition votes between Congress and BJP is bound to benefit BJD. No major issues against BJD and there is no anti-incumbency feeling. The charisma of Naveen Patnaik shall once again result in votes.

Laxmikant Rout: The message should be loud and clear through the Panchayat Elections as we want only and only development of our local area. We won’t believe now on party or individuals apart from development. BJP & Congress may give good fight this time due to lack of development in the last 17 years.

Hemanta Pande: In the forthcoming Panchayat polls in Odisha, the ruling BJD party has a clear edge to show its might because the party enjoys tremendous popularity among rural voters, particularly BPL families and women voters for Re 1/kg rice and other populist schemes. The party may be able ward of challenges of Chit Fund scam, Nagada, Gumudumaha, Dana Majhi etc.