Koraput, located in Odisha, holds significance both as a district and as a Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency. Its political landscape is shaped by seven assembly constituencies, each representing distinct demographics, socio-economic factors, and local issues.
The assembly constituencies within the Koraput Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency are: Gunupur (ST), Bissam Cuttack (ST), Rayagada (ST), Laxmipur (ST), Jeypore, Koraput (SC), and Pottangi (ST). The presence of Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) constituencies reflects the diverse ethnic and social composition of the region. ST constituencies such as Gunupur, Bissam Cuttack, Rayagada, Laxmipur, and Pottangi cater to the tribal communities, whose concerns and aspirations often revolve around issues like land rights, forest resources, and socio-economic development.
Jeypore and Koraput (SC) constituencies likely represent a mix of tribal and non-tribal populations, with their own set of developmental challenges and electoral dynamics.
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Koraput has mostly supported the Congress party in the past. Except for 2009 and 2014, Congress has usually won here. But since 2019, the Biju Janata Dal has been putting up a strong opposition to the Congress dominance.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress candidate Saptagiri Shankar Ulaka won with 3,71,129 votes, narrowly defeating the BJD's Kaushalya Hikaka, who secured 3,67,516 votes.
Similarly, in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJD's Jhina Hikaka emerged victorious with 3,95,109 votes, pushing Giridhar Gamang of the Congress to second place with 3,75,781 votes.
Congress's dominance in the region would need to devise effective strategies to resonate with the electorate and capitalize on any discontent or dissatisfaction among voters. Meanwhile, rival parties seeking to challenge Congress's dominance in the region would need to devise effective strategies to resonate with the electorate and capitalize on any discontent or dissatisfaction among voters.
Understanding the historical context and electoral patterns of Koraput provides valuable insights into the region's political landscape and the dynamics shaping future electoral contests.
This time the main candidates in the fray are:
Candidate | Party |
Kaliram Majhi | BJP |
Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka | INC |
Pramila Pujari | SUCI(C) |
Raghuram Padal | BJD |
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