Bhubaneswar: Speculations are rife that a former IRS officer will contest the 2024 Assembly elections from Mahanga constituency in Odisha’s Cuttack district.

Sobhan Kar, the son of former minister and Odisha Assembly Speaker Sarat Kar, has been actively participating in social work in Mahanga area for last several days. He had taken voluntary retirement from IRS job a few years ago.

Sarat Kar had been elected to Odisha Assembly for quite a few times in the past.

Kar recently participated in a get-together near the famous Olasuni cave in Mahanga. Hundreds of people, including many Biju Janata Dal (BJD) workers and supporters of Sarat Kar, were present at the meeting.

A few BJD local leaders, including Debendra Sahu and Ashok Mishra, openly declared their support for Kar. They also urged Kar to approach the BJD leadership for a ticket to fight the 2024 Assembly polls from Mahanga constituency.

Notably, BJD leader and former minister Pratap Jena had been elected from Mahanga Assembly segment in 2019.

“My father had been associated with Mahanga area for long period. I had left my IRS job to work for the betterment of Mahanga people. The people of this area are requesting me to fight the election. If I get a chance, I will definitely contest the poll,” Kar said.