Abandoning the high-profile appearance he puts on television, BJP leader Sambit Patra is living the life of a hermit ever since he filed his nomination from Puri, a Lok Sabha constituency where the election has turned into a contest among spokespersons of three political parties.
Patra is pitted against sitting MP Pinaki Mishra, a spokesman of BJD. Congress has fielded its state unit media cell chairman and chief spokesman Satya Prakash Nayak.
The candidates are deploying the skills they have used during TV debates, to guide the public opinion in their favour in Puri, one of the four "dhams" for Hindus.
Wearing dhoti-kurta, topped with a typical Odia 'gamchha' (towel), Patra puts sandalwood paste on his forehead before he hits the campaign trail. At times, he takes a dip in a community pond and eats breakfast at homes of villagers, sitting on the floor.
"I am a typical Odia and my gamchha is its symbol. I am from a poor family and have dared to fight the ultra-rich BJD candidate who has never cared for the people," Patra said.
Asked why he chose Puri, Patra said, "Because I was sent by Narendra Modi and called by Lord Jagannath. You cannot fight from here unless blessed by Lord Jagannath."
During campaigning, Patra meets people and tells them that they can speak to him about their problems. "I will directly speak to the prime minister for a solution (to the problems)."
He said, "Modi is not a person, he is an idea which can make every impossible possible."
"An old man gifted it to me. I held it with respect. There is nothing wrong in it. Let the opposition people say what they want, I love Lord Jagannath and cannot put the idol down."
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