After hospitalisation for over a month, four-time MLA of Berhmapur Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik who was being projected as brand ambassador of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), returned to the city.
He reached the city on Sunday night while the election fever was picking up. It was not yet clear whether the MLA would contest in the coming Assembly elections. Mr Chyau Patnaik hismelft is mum about it.
After discharge from Medanta hospital in Delhi, he met BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. He said he discussed everything with Mr Patnaik and his decision regarding Berhampur Assembly seat would be final and it would be declared very soon.
The BJD camp in the city is also divided over Mr Chyau Patnaik. Some feel that due to his health condition, he should not contest the polls this time. There are others who are pressing him to contest again. Ganjam district president of BJD Subash Moharana said the presence of Mr Chyau Patnaik was a morale booster for the party in Berhampur.
According to Mr Moharana, Mr Chyau Patnaik is better known in the city as a physician who is always available for medical hep and as a gentlemanl. So, it is said that whether he becomes the candidate or not Mr Chyau Patnaik would be a key element in the campaign of the BJD in the Berhampur Assembly segment.
Mr Chyau Patnaik began his political career as a councillor of the Berhampur Municipality. He became MLA for the first time on Janata Dal ticket in 1995. He continued to win from this seat as BJD candidate in the 2000, 2004 and 2009 polls.
