100-Word Insight

With general elections due in 2023-2024, various organisations in Western Odisha may go for the kill with the separate state demand.

Whatever volt face the Congress leadership in Odisha puts, they have lost the credibility and being seen as a 'party on sale'.

Probably this is the reason why Dharmendra cleverly and strategically hinted at an early election in Odisha, as the state will have simultaneous polls.

With such a massive mandate in Padampur, Naveen sounds the bugle for 2024. Neither BJD nor BJP would want to go slow from here.

It would be interesting to see who wins the Mayor post as there is no anti-defection law in the MCD to stop poaching and cross voting.

If BJD wins tomorrow, the victory will be attributed to the 'Micro Management' and 'Caste Equations' factors.

The BJD sources are confident of 25,000+ margin, while BJP expects to win by 5,000-10,000 votes.

If we believe the exit polls, the party will retain the state with a much better show than 2017 at the cost of the declining Congress.

As the high intensity of Padampur battle suggests, it won't stop here. the aggression will continue on both sides. The game has just begun.

"Provide the land for Bargarh-Nuapada railway line tomorrow. We will start project work the next day," said Vaishnaw, putting the ball in BJD Government's court.