In a bid to counter the influence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) has declared its candidacy for one Lok Sabha seat and seven Assembly seats in Odisha. The announcement came from CPIM's Odisha state secretary, Comrade Ali Kishore Patnaik, during a press conference held in Bhubaneswar.
Comrade Patnaik outlined CPIM's primary objectives for the upcoming elections, which include thwarting the BJP's agenda, bolstering CPIM's representation, and advocating for the establishment of a secular government both at the national and state levels.
Highlighting the perceived shortcomings of the incumbent Naveen Patnaik government, CPIM underscored issues such as escalating unemployment, particularly among migrant workers, and alleged support for BJP-backed policies by the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The party criticized what it termed as a rise in bureaucratic control over governance, expressing concerns about its implications for democracy.
CPIM revealed its candidates for the elections, with Comrade Suresh Panigrahi set to contest the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat. Additionally, candidates for the seven Assembly seats were announced: Comrades Lakshmana Munda, Yogananda Das, Saroj Naik, Girish Maharana, Badri Narayan Das, Mayutanjaya Behera, and Raghunath Hantal.
The party disclosed its strategy to support candidates from allied parties in constituencies where CPIM is not fielding its own nominees.
The announcement sets the stage for an electoral contest in Odisha characterized by the competing visions and ideologies of various political entities, with CPIM positioning itself as a formidable contender challenging the dominance of the BJP and its allies.
