BHUBANESWAR: Subash Gond, a close associate of slain MLA Jagabandhu Majhi, has been handpicked as the BJD nominee for the by-election to the Umerkote Assembly constituency.The by-poll slated for November 30 is all set for a triangular contest with the other major political parties, Congress and BJP also fielding candidates from the Gond community.While the Congress has announced Jitendra Gond as its candidate, the BJP has fielded former MLA Dharmu Gond. All the three candidates are from Raighar block in Nabarangpur district, which was also the home of Jagabandhu.Subash was the vice-president of the Dalit Samaj headed by Jagabandhu before he merged it with the BJD. Besides having good network of workers because of his close proximity to Jagabandhu, Subash had his own sphere of influence as the vice-president of the Dalit Samaj.Congress has, however, fielded Jitendra to cash in on the resentment in the Gond community over Jagabandhu’s style of functioning. The BJP, on the other hand, hope to regain the lost base by fielding Dharmu, a known face in the constituency.The BJD has pressed into service at least four ministers to campaign for the party candidate. The Chief Minister has also constituted a seven-member committee headed by Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patro for the by-poll. Controversy over Law Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh, a member of the committee, for availing two BDA houses under discretionary quota has landed the party in a piquant situation. Sources said Arukh will be advised against campaigning for BJD to avoid any embarrassment.
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