The Biju Janata Dal MP from Odisha’s Kendrapara, actor Anubhav Mohanty, has not got an opportunity to campaign for the Dhamanagar bypoll, but his estranged wife Varsha Priyadarshini seems to have found favour with chief minister Naveen Patnaik as she canvassed for the ruling party on Tuesday.

The bypoll for the Dhamanagar Assembly seat will be held on Thursday and Tuesday was the last day of campaigning.

“I am here because of the chief minister and sister Abanti (Das), who is the BJD’s candidate. I am a big fan of Naveen. He is reigning in our hearts,” Varsha said.

She was seen telling people about the party’s programmes, including the Odisha government’s thrust on the development of women.

Urging people to support the BJD, Varsha said: “The development of women will help the society progress.”

Ever since Varsha’s relationship with Anubhav soured, the BJD has been maintaining a distance from Anubhav, fearing a public backlash.

He was not given a chance to campaign for the party during the bypolls in Tirtol, Pipili, Brajarajanagar and Balasore Sadar.

On the other hand, Varsha seems to be inching closer to the power corridors.

Anubhav has filed for divorce and the matter is in court. Even after they fell out, Varsha used to stay in Anubhav’s house. But when Anubhav went to court, she was ordered to vacate the house.

On Monday, Anubhav and Varsha appeared in the family court in Cuttack separately in connection with the divorce case.

Anubhav, who has acted in Bengali films as well, and Varsha were the most

popular couple of Odia cinema They tied the knot in February 2014.

Their separation became an issue for the Opposition to target Naveen, for whom Anubhav had been a star campaigner in 2014 and 2019. Immediately after the 2014 general election, Naveen had sent Anubhav to the Rajya Sabha.

Naveen had then fielded Anubhav as the BJD candidate against three-time MP from Kendrapara, Baijayant Jay Panda, in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Anubhav defeated Jay Panda by over one lakh votes.