Sambalpur, April 9: Three women candidates will contest from the Sambalpur Assembly seat, which has never got a woman legislator, in the upcoming general elections.

The BJD has nominated gynaecologist Raseswari Panigrahi, while Ama Odisha Party has fielded former chairperson of Sambalpur Municipality Kalpana Sahu. Jayashree Mishra is contesting as an Independent candidate.

Panigrahi, 67, has served in all the three government-run medical colleges in the state and retired as the head of gynaecology department at the Veer Surenda Sai Medical College and Hospital in Burla. She is the founder editor of medical journal Odisha Medical Khabara and a member of the board of trustees of Samaleswari temple.

“The Naveen Patnaik government has taken many steps for women empowerment and the government is doing good work for the development of the state. That is why I was inspired to join politics. I am receiving an overwhelming response in the constituency, particularly from women,” said Raseswari, expressing the confidence that she would be able to make it to the Assembly.

“People know of my contribution as a doctor. After I completed my studies, I had the opportunity to go outside the state and work. But I preferred to stay here because I love Sambalpur. I have served patients as a doctor and now want to serve the society at large. My objective is the overall development of Sambalpur. I will work for the improvement of health, education and sanitation here,” said Raseswari, who lives alone in her ancestral house.

Incidentally, her brother Sriballav Panigrahi is a veteran Congress leader and has been a minister in the state. Sriballav has also represented the Sambalpur seat in the Lok Sabha.

Ama Odisha Party has fielded 40-year-old Kalpana Sahu, a former chairperson of Sambalpur Municipality.

A graduate, Sahu, who was in the Bharatiya Janata Party, had been contesting the civic elections since 2008. In 2012, she became the chairperson of the Sambalpur Municipality. She left the BJP and joined the Ama Odisha Party of Soumya Ranjan Patnaik.

“This is not the first time I am facing the electorate. I have proven myself as the chairperson of the municipality and people aware of my capabilities,” said Kalpana.

“I am aware of the problems of the city and people want me as their representative in the Assembly. I am confident of winning the polls,” said Sahu. However, local residents feel that her presence in the fray would only mar the prospects of sitting BJP MLA Jaynarain Mishra who is seeking re-election from the constituency.

The Congress has fielded Sureshwar Mishra, an advocate, who was defeated by Mishra in 2009 polls.

Jayashree Mishra, 52, is contesting as an Independent and she had been contesting the elections since 1990.

“Results do not matter. I will continue to work for the city and our people,” said Jayashree, who is a matriculate.

“Women take part in all kinds of political activities. They campaign for a party, take part in all its activities but when it comes to giving tickets, major political parties shy away,” said Tilotama Satpathy, a retired teacher.

This is not the first time that women are contesting for the Assembly seat. In 1990, Janata Dal had fielded Pramila Bohidar. Although the party under the leadership of Biju Patnaik came to power, Bohidar could not make it. In 1995, the Janata Dal had given gave party ticket to Sipra Mohanty. But, she, too, lost the elections.

“Women have excelled in all the fields and proven themselves. Moreover, all the three candidates, who are contesting the election in Sambalpur Assembly seat, are competent. I will be happy if a woman candidate wins this time,” said Priyadipti Pattnaik, a homemaker.