Sambalpur: The stage is set for the Bijepur Assembly bypoll in Odisha with filing of nominations starting on January 30. The election is expected to witness participation of over 2.21 lakh voters, which is an increase of 14,713 voters from the poll held in 2014.

The seat fell vacant due following the death of Congress MLA Subal Sahu on August 22 last year.

A three-time winner, Sahu had been representing the seat since 2004. In 2014, he defeated BJD heavyweight and the then finance minister Prasanna Kumar Acharya by 458 votes. It was the lowest margin for the seat since 1961, with Janata Dal leader Nikunja Bihari Singh still holding on the highest margin for t he seat. In 1990, Singh had defeating Congress nominee Ripu Nath Seth by 26,885 votes.

For the forthcoming bypoll, the BJD has done a coup of sorts by fielding Sahu's wife Rita Sahu as its candidate from the Congress stronghold. The BJD has taken the lead with the BJP and the Congress yet to announce their candidates.

With Rita joining the BJD, Congress has looking for a suitable choice and chances of Ripu Nath Seth seems brighter.

Rebel BJD leader Ashok Panigrahi, who had fought the last election as an Independent, is now with the BJP and has become a major aspirant for the party ticket.

Former MP Kharavela Swain has queered the pitch by announcing that his Utkal Bharat Party would contest the bypoll. Swain recently toured the constituency and held discussion with his supporters, who backed the idea of contesting the bypoll.