Keonjhar Lok Sabha constituency is set to witness a keen contest between BJP and BJD. In 2014, BJD's Sakuntala Laguri won comfortably by a margin of 1.60 lakh votes. But BJD has axed Laguri and has opted for Chandrani Murmu, who is daughter of former Keonjhar MP and Congress leader Harihar Soren. BJP though has reposed faith on their two times MP Ananta Nayek who contested unsuccessfully in 2014. 

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BJP has got heavy-hitters like Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Dharmendra Pradhan to campaign for Ananta. Amit Shah has slammed BJD for doing precious little for this mining rich district and have promised construction of steel plant if BJP wins. Party has also promised a government medical college for Keonjhar, comprising of large number of tribal population. 

"Under District Mineral Fund, Rs 1600 crore has been allocated to this district. All forest produces will be procured at Minimum Support Price (MSP) from the tribals and no GST will be levied on tendu leaves," promised Amit Shah in Keonjhar.  Congress has fielded Fakir Mohan Patnaik from this seat. The assembly segments under Keonjhar Telkoi, Ghasipura, Anandpur, Patana, Keonjhar, Champua, Karanjia.  If Congress manages to cut BJD' vote in its strongholds like Ghasipura, it could mean an advantage for BJP. 

The issue of an indecent video purportedly of BJD candidate Chandrani Murmu has created ripples in Keonjhar, which goes to polls on 23rd April. Some have been arrested in this matter and all political parties have demanded strong action against accused. 

In the past, Congress has won the seat seven times, the last in 1996. BJP won thrice when in alliance with BJD. BJD has won comfortably last two times. But with Laguri family out of action, can BJD hold onto Keonjhar? We will get the answer soon.