Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Ganjam Politics Shifts as Rivals Reconcile, Panda Faces Fresh Case
Ganjam is seeing new changes among its political leaders.
Pradip Kumar Panigrahi and Bibhuti Bhusan Jena used to compete against each other for many years.
Recently, they appeared together and said they wanted to help develop Ganjam.
Bikram Kumar Panda, another important leader, has returned to political activities after spending almost 10 months in custody.
He received conditional bail from the Orissa High Court.
Police have now accused Panda and two others of trying to frighten or influence an important witness.
Investigators say they found call records, recordings and CCTV material.
The changing relationships may become important before local elections.
Brahmapur MP Pradip Kumar Panigrahi and Gopalpur MLA Bibhuti Bhusan Jena have publicly signalled a political rapprochement after years as rivals.
Panigrahi and Jena appeared together at the Panchama Ganesh shrine, exchanging laddus and saying they prayed to work for Ganjam’s development.
Their equations changed in 2024, when Panigrahi joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and Jena won the Gopalpur Assembly seat against Biju Janata Dal’s Bikram Kumar Panda.
Panda returned to grassroots politics after nearly 10 months in custody following conditional bail in the case involving the murder of advocate and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pitabas Panda.
Police have registered a fresh case alleging that Panda, Madan Dalai and jail doctor Sushant Panigrahi threatened and attempted to influence a prosecution witness.
- Who
- Brahmapur MP Pradip Kumar Panigrahi, Gopalpur MLA Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, former Brahmapur MLA Bikram Kumar Panda, and others named in the police case.
- What
- Political rivals Panigrahi and Jena have publicly reconciled, while Panda has resumed political activity and faces a fresh allegation involving witness intimidation.
- When
- The public rapprochement was reported recently; alleged threatening calls began August 28, bail was granted August 31, and Panda left jail September 1. The article describes the murder case as dating to October 6, 2025, creating a chronology that is not fully consistent with the August-September dates.
- Where
- Ganjam district, including Brahmapur, Gopalpur and areas near Khallikote Unit School.
- Why
- Panigrahi said the two leaders prayed to work together for Ganjam’s development; the political changes are attracting attention as panchayat and municipal elections approach.
- Political rapprochement
- Pradip Kumar Panigrahi and Bibhuti Bhusan Jena appeared together at the Panchama Ganesh shrine during Ganesh Chaturthi.
- Earlier rivalry
- Panigrahi defeated Jena in the 2009, 2014 and 2019 Gopalpur Assembly elections.
- 2024 political change
- Panigrahi joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and contested the Brahmapur Lok Sabha seat; Jena won Gopalpur against Bikram Kumar Panda by 9,062 votes.
- Panda’s bail
- The Orissa High Court granted Panda conditional bail on August 31, and he left Brahmapur Circle Jail on September 1 after nearly 10 months in custody.
- Fresh police case
- Gosaninuagaon police named Panda, alleged associate Madan Dalai and jail doctor Sushant Panigrahi in a case concerning alleged threats to a prosecution witness.
- Evidence cited by police
- The Brahmapur superintendent of police said investigators examined technical evidence, call records, audio and video material, and CCTV footage.
- Jail investigation
- Police are examining how unauthorised mobile-phone access may have been facilitated inside the jail.