Paradip, April 5: Bimal Chandra Pattnayak, 47, an ex-serviceman, is contesting from this Assembly constituency on a Samata Kranti Dal ticket.

“I had fought the Kargil war against enemy forces. Now, I am fighting a battle against injustice meted out by industrial houses to the local people here,” said Pattnayak.

“Paradip is witnessing rapid industrialisation and a series of mega units are coming up here. The port town represents the face of modern Odisha. But, no one is bothered about the larger interest of the local people. The government and political parties have become corporate-friendly entities relegating public interest to the background,” Pattanayak said.

“If I am elected, I will fight for those who are losing land and livelihood to industrialisation,” he said.

Pattnayak retired from the Indian Army in 2003 and is a land-loser himself. He had parted with his ancestral land in Nuagarh to a steel project near Paradip. A political greenhorn, he is no match for BJD candidate and health minister Damodar Rout and trade unionist-turned-politician Arindam, aka Bapi Sharkhel, of the Congress, who are contesting from his constituency.

Pattnayak may not be a serious contender, but he draws curious crowd, mostly youths and women, for his fiery oratory. “I joined the air defence wing of the army in 1986 and sought voluntary retirement in 2003 as a non-commissioned officer. I get a monthly pension of Rs 10,900. My elder son is studying engineering and my daughter is a medical student. I am leading a decent life,” said Pattnayak.

“I had never thought that I would ever plunge into politics. But the industry-induced displacement and the plight of land-losers made me decide to contest the elections and fight for their rights,” he said.