LOISINGHA, FEBRUARY 16: This politically hyper-sensitive constituency in Balangir district is witnessing one of the fiercest battles between two close relatives. Besides the political future of the contestants, much is at stake here.The president of the state unit of Janata Dal (U) and chairman of the Western Orissa Development Council (WODC) Narasingh Mishra is arraigned against his brother-in-law and sitting MLA Balgopal Mishra who is fighting the election on the Bharatiya Janata Party ticket.Besides the family angle what has added significance to electoral scene here is that it is the only seat where candidates of two NDA partners are fighting a do-or-die battle. The Congress has not fielded any candidate from the seat and has announced its support for JD(U) candidate Mishra. Narasingh has changed his constituency from Binika to Loisingha this time.Both the Mishras are leaving no stones unturned to humble one another in the electoral battle which has turned murkier following the clash between the two groups on February 9 at Chudapalli village where Balgopal is alleged to have opened fire from his revolver. The animosity between the two Mishras is well known and the two are not even on talking terms.Balgopal has been elected to the Assembly from the constituency as an Independent in 1980, 1985 and 1995. He was also elected to the Lok Sabha in 1990 on a Janata Dal ticket and later joined the Samajwadi Janata Party (SJP) headed by Chandrashekhar. In 1990, Narasingh Mishra contested and won from Loisingha seat on Janata Dal ticket and became the law minister in the Biju Patnaik cabinet.A three time MLA Balgopal is trying to cash in on the wave in favour of the BJP. As the Congress has not fielded any candidate here, the incumbency factor will not be much of a help for Balgopal like in other constituencies. Besides, the candidature of Giridhar Pati, the rebel Congress candidate may come to the advantage of Balgopal. Pati had unsuccessfully contested the Assembly poll against Balgopal last time.But Narasingh Mishra is equally confident of his victory on the strength of his personality and performance as the chairman of the WODC.
