National

Banking On Berhampur

The Andhra-Orissa border constituency is a safe bet for Rao

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Banking On Berhampur
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But that—as Rao's main rival, Sugyana Kumar Deo (Janata Dal) is out to prove—can be a double-edged sword. The widow of the former Raja of Khallikote has won all elections to the state assembly since the early '60s. And her reputation as someone who comes back to her constituents is high. She is as much of a polyglot as Rao, making it easier for her to mix around in a constituency that's predominantly bilingual. Her argument is persuasive. "Narasimha Rao is going to leave this constituency if he wins. Then who will you go to," she asks. "If he can't even come to file his nomination, will he retain this seat if he wins it," she says during door-to-door canvassing. She readily cites Rao's famous statement here and uses it to her advantage. "He wanted to make Orissa a laboratory for development. To do that, he has to first come here."

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On top of her agenda is Rao's Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput action plan. The plan, announced last November with a Rs 4,550-crore package, was indeed the first indication that Rao was interested in Orissa. Fact is, today no money has yet been made available for the development of these 'most backward' districts. Inkling two: when he laid the foundation stone of Tata's steel unit near Gopalpur, a key assembly segment. The move, opposed by villagers, is being used by the JD to bait Rao.

Rao's constituency is beset with other problems. Sitting MP Gopinath Gajpati is sore at being denied a ticket and is reportedly in touch with Madhavrao Scindia. But he refutes the charges: "I won't quit the party; I'm going to back Rao." A significant section of the party is dead against the state assembly speaker who filed the nomination on Rao's behalf. Says DCC chief Ramkrishna Rajguru: "People like me have worked for the party but it's the speaker, who fought as an independent, who got the nod." In the end, the very fact that the Prime Minister is contesting from Orissa may turn out to be the sole trumpcard. Sensing this, state leaders have sent him an SOS, asking him to visit Berhampur. He may win but it might not be as easy as Nandyal.

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