In the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections in Odisha, four women candidates from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious, showcasing a significant stride in women's representation in the state. Former IAS officer Aparajita Sarangi, Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Malvika Devi, and Anita Subhadarshini secured their seats amidst a competitive electoral landscape.
Aparajita Sarangi, the BJP candidate and former IAS officer, retained the prestigious Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat for the second consecutive term. She defeated her nearest Biju Janata Dal (BJD) rival, Manmath Kumar Routray, by a margin of 35,152 votes.
Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, hailing from the erstwhile Royal family of Patna in Bolangir district, clinched victory in the Bolangir Lok Sabha constituency. She won by a significant margin of 1,32,664 votes against her BJD rival Surendra Singh Bhoi.
Malvika Devi, another BJP candidate from the erstwhile Royal family of Kalahandi district, emerged victorious in the Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat. She secured a win with 1,33,813 votes, defeating Lambodar Nial of the BJD.
Anita Subhadarshini of the BJP won in the Aska Lok Sabha constituency in Ganjam district. She defeated her nearest BJD rival, Ranjita Sahu, by 99,974 votes, marking a clear victory.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, a total of seven women candidates had emerged victorious in Odisha. This year, five BJD women candidates - Ranjita Sahu, Lekhasri Samantsinghar, Pariniti Mishra, Manjulata Mondal, and Rajashree Mallick - secured the second position in the Aska, Balasore, Bargarh, Jagatsinghpur, and Jajpur Lok Sabha seats, respectively.
Overall, 29 women candidates contested in the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha, highlighting a robust participation of women in the electoral process. The BJP's strong performance in Odisha resulted in the party winning 20 out of the 21 Lok Sabha seats.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Steps Down After Major Electoral Loss, BJP to Take Charge
Odisha's Political Landscape: BJP's Inroads and Naveen Patnaik's Stronghold
Poll Trackers: These Factors Also Caused Modi's Election Disappointment, Survey