Odisha assembly election 2019: Hinjilicut is Naveen Patnaik’s stronghold

Spread over 21 grampanchayats and consisting of 57 villages, the largely-rural constituency of Hinjilicut elected Patnaik with 76,586 votes in the 2014 assembly polls. So conclusive was his victory that all his opponents including Congress and BJP lost their security deposits

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday filed nominations for the Hinjilicut assembly constituency in Ganjam district that has been a pocketborough of BJD since 2000 when he became CM.

It is for the fifth time Patnaik filed his nomination from Hinjili for the assembly elections during his political career. (HT File Photo)

Accompanied by BJD MLAs and MPs, Patnaik first went to Taratarini temple in Ganjam district and then filed nomination at the office of Chhatrapur sub-Collector for Hinjilicut Assembly constituency. In his affidavit submitted before the Election Commission, Patnaik declared immovable assets of ₹63.64 crore and movable property at ₹23.26 lakh. Assets include an Ambassador car and ₹25,000 in cash.

It is for the fifth time Patnaik filed his nomination from Hinjili for the assembly elections during his political career.

Spread over 21 grampanchayats and consisting of 57 villages, the largely-rural constituency of Hinjilicut elected Patnaik with 76586 votes in the 2014 assembly polls, the fourth highest margin of that year. So conclusive was his victory that all his opponents including Congress and BJP lost their security deposits. In 2009 assembly polls, Patnaik had won by a margin of 61273 votes.

After Patnaik became CM, the constituency has experienced rapid development due to its VIP status. All the homes in Hinjilicut have piped drinking water facility, electricity connections and pucca toilets. A 100-bed hospital, a market complex, a high-tech bus stand, and modern fish market is being constructed in the constituency. Last year Sankar Netralaya started its second hospital in Odisha at Hinjilicut.

Voting in Hinjilicut Lok Sabha Assembly consitutency would be on April 18 in the second phase. The result will be declared on May 23.

State: Odisha

Name of the Assembly constituency: Hinjilicut

Sitting MLA, party: Naveen Patnaik, Biju Janata Dal

Winning margin in 2014: 76, 586

Runner up name, party: Sibaram Patra, Congress

Number of voters in 2014: 201,517

Percentage of votes polled in 2014: 60%

Number of women voters in 2014: 93,589

Number of polling booths in 2014: 210