Bhubaneswar: The prestigious Bhubaneswar Club is gearing up for a highly anticipated election, with two former Chief Secretaries, Pradeep Kumar Jena and Asit Tripathy, vying for the coveted President’s position. This high-profile contest has sparked significant interest in the state’s power corridors, attracting the attention of prominent industrialists, IAS and IPS officers, politicians, lawyers, and other influential personalities.
The election is scheduled to take place on September 20 and 21. Members can cast their votes online on September 20, while physical voting will be held at the club on September 21 from 11 am to 5 pm. The votes will be counted on September 21 at 6 pm, and the results will be announced thereafter.
Pradeep Kumar Jena, a seasoned bureaucrat with a proven track record in administration, has recently taken over as the Chairman of the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) after his retirement. This is his first time contesting the club’s election. His campaign slogan is ‘Vote for Change’, emphasizing unity, transparency, and progress. Jena’s panel includes notable members such as former IPS officer Lalit Das and distinguished health specialist Dr. P.V. Mohan.
Asit Tripathy, on the other hand, has been a dominant force in the club, having won the presidency in the last two elections. If he wins this time, it would be his third consecutive term, marking a hat-trick victory. His campaign slogan is ‘Bikasha Eka Jatra’ (Development is a Journey) urging members to join hands for the club’s progress.
Tripathy’s panel includes prominent members such as Pradeep Kumar Mohanty, Anil Kumar Samal, and Dr. Debabrata Biswal.
It is pertinent to mention that the Bhubaneswar Club has a total of 2,321 valid voters, comprising 1922 individual voters and 399 corporate voters. The election is expected to be keenly contested, with both panels vying for support from the club’s influential members.
