Who will inherit Naba Das’ legacy – son Vishal or daughter Deepali?

By Subrat Sarangi

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 31: Who will inherit the legacy of Naba Kishore Das, Odisha’s health minister and senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader who was assassinated by an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI) on January 29?

 Will his son Bishal or daughter Deepali succeed him? Or any other persons of his family will carry his baton? This question is being widely discussed in political circles in the power corridors, besides in the nook and corner of the state.

Sources close to the family of Naba Das say that Bishal is not much interested in politics. He always liked to look after his father’s business operations.

The business empire of Naba Das is too large and vast. He was into transport and real estate businesses, hotel and hospitality industry, besides reportedly owning a chain of liquor shops in western Odisha districts.

As discussed, Naba Das’ transport business stretches from Jharsuguda, Angul, Brajarajnagar, Sambalpur in Western Odisha to Kalahandi, Rayagada and Koraput districts in South Odisha. His firm deals in transportation of minerals like iron ore, bauxite and coal, besides finished products of steel industries.

Naba Das’ younger and elder brothers have their own businesses. They are also not keen to join politics.

Deepali whose nickname is Nikki, on the other hand, seems to have inherited her father’s political qualities. Realising that his daughter has a basic instinct of politics, the maverick Naba Das, known for his richness and luxurious life, always tried to promote his daughter. He accompanied her to different political meetings. Sometimes, he also took her to government meetings which drew flak from various circles.

In Brajarajnagar assembly bypoll held on May 30, 2022, Deepali was appointed as chief coordinator of the ruling Biju Janata Dal’s women wing for Brajarajnagar assembly constituency.  As it was seen then, Deepali successfully discharged her responsibilities during the polls. She anchored at least 10 major political rallies. Her speeches and articulation endeared her to senior BJD leaders.

Deepali was one of the frontrunners for Brajarajnagar bypoll. However, the party finally chose Alaka Mohanty, the widow of ex-MLA Kishore Mohanty, as its candidate.