Old rivals, new equations in Ganjam

Brahmapur: Ganjam’s political landscape is witnessing a fresh churn, with the public rapprochement between Brahmapur MP Pradip Kumar Panigrahi and Gopalpur MLA Bibhuti Bhusan Jena coinciding with the return of former Brahmapur MLA and BJD Ganjam president Bikram Kumar Panda to grassroots politics—and his latest legal trouble over alleged intimidation of a key prosecution witness.

Panigrahi and Jena, who were political rivals for nearly 17 years, have recently appeared together in public. At the Panchama Ganesh shrine on Ganesh Chaturthi, the two exchanged laddus and joined hands, with Panigrahi saying they had prayed for working together for the development of Ganjam and making it the best district.

The thaw assumes significance given their long electoral rivalry in Gopalpur. Panigrahi won the Assembly seat three consecutive times on a BJD ticket in 2009, 2014 and 2019, defeating Jena of BJP in each election.

Their political equations changed sharply in 2024 after Panigrahi joined the BJP and contested the Brahmapur Lok Sabha seat, while Jena won the Gopalpur Assembly seat on a BJP ticket, defeating BJD’s Bikram Panda by 9,062 votes.

Meanwhile, Panda’s return to active politics after spending nearly 10 months in custody has energised BJD’s organisational activities in Ganjam. The Orissa High Court granted him conditional bail on August 31 in the case relating to the October 6, 2025 murder of advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda. He walked out of Brahmapur Circle Jail on September 1.

However, Panda has now landed in fresh legal trouble. Gosaninuagaon police have registered a case against him, his alleged associate Madan Dalai and Brahmapur Jail doctor Dr Sushant Panigrahi for allegedly threatening and attempting to influence a key prosecution witness while he (Panda) was in judicial custody.

Police said the complaint was lodged after alleged threatening calls beginning August 28, followed by physical intimidation of the witness by two unidentified persons on September 1 near Khallikote Unit School grounds. The complainant reportedly submitted audio recordings and sought police protection.

Brahmapur SP Saravana Vivek M said the investigation yielded technical evidence, call records, audio/video material and CCTV footage. According to the SP, calls to the witness were allegedly made using the jail doctor’s mobile number and involved the doctor and Panda. A case has subsequently been registered under relevant provisions and further investigation is underway.

Police are also examining how unauthorised mobile-phone access was allegedly facilitated inside the jail. The SP said departmental disciplinary action against the jail doctor would be recommended if warranted by the investigation.

The latest developments have added another layer to Ganjam’s evolving political equations. The Panigrahi-Jena rapprochement comes as Panda seeks to rebuild his grassroots presence across the district, including in areas where he has been a major political rival of Jena.

With panchayat and municipal elections approaching, the changing relationships among these prominent leaders are drawing close attention across Ganjam. The emerging scenario combines shifting political equations with legal developments, making grassroots politics in the district increasingly active and closely watched.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sunil Mohan Patnaik

[email protected]