Bhubaneshwar Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Voting date, results, candidates, main parties and schedule

2024 Lok Sabha elections in Odisha. File photo of PM Modi addressing people in a roadshow in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency in Odisha holds a significant place in the state's political landscape, being the capital and largest city.

With a total of 1,527,768 voters, Bhubaneswar presents a sizable electorate, with a notable gender distribution of 835,850 male voters and 691,918 female voters, as per the Election Commission's 2014 data. The constituency comprises seven Assembly seats, reflecting the diverse political interests and demographics within its boundaries.

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The electoral history of Bhubaneswar showcases a mix of political affiliations over the years. From the 1960s to the 1970s, the Congress enjoyed consecutive victories in the constituency. However, the 1977 election saw a shift with Shivaji Patnaik of the CPI(M) emerging victorious amid an anti-Congress wave.

The political landscape continued to evolve in subsequent years, with the Congress staging a comeback in 1980 and 1984 under the leadership of Chintamani Panigrahi. However, the equation changed again in 1989 when Shivaji Patnaik reclaimed the seat for the CPI(M), retaining it in the 1991 election as well.

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A significant turning point in Odisha's political history occurred with the formation of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) by Naveen Patnaik in 1997. The BJD's emergence marked a shift in the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat's political dynamics, leading to a spectacular victory in the 1998 election with Prasanna Kumar Patasani securing the seat for the party.

Aparajita Sarangi's victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, securing the Bhubaneswar constituency for the BJP, marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the region. With a substantial margin of 23,839 votes over her closest rival Arup Mohan Patnaik of the BJD, Sarangi's win underscores the BJP's growing influence in Odisha's capital.

Comparing this to the 2014 election outcome, where Prasanna Kumar Patasani of the BJD secured a resounding victory with a massive margin of 189,477 votes, indicates the changing political dynamics over the years. Patasani's overwhelming win in 2014, backed by the charisma of Naveen Patnaik, demonstrated the dominance of the BJD in the state.

The difference in voting margins between 2014 and 2019 reflects shifts in voter preferences, campaign strategies, and local dynamics. While Patasani's victory in 2014 showcased the strength of the BJD under Naveen Patnaik's leadership, Sarangi's landslide win in 2019 highlights the BJP's growing presence and appeal in the constituency.

Overall, the electoral history of the Bhubaneswar constituency reflects the evolving political landscape of Odisha, with different parties and candidates vying for the support of the electorate in each election cycle.

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