BJD announces candidate for Bijepur assembly by-poll

BJD President Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced that Ritarani Sahu, the widow of late Congress MLA Subal Sahu, would be the party's candidate in the Bijepur assembly by-election.

Ritarani Sahu and her son Sumit Sahu joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) along with scores of supporters on September 23 with the hope of getting a ticket in the by-poll.

Patnaik pre-empted a possible revolt in the party by announcing Ritarani's candidature in the by-election.

However, Rajya Sabha member Prasanna Acharya said there was no resentment in the party. Acharya was defeated from the constituency in the 2014 assembly polls.

"It is natural that there will be many aspirants for the MLA seat. But we will hold discussions to dispel any such discontentment among the members of the party," said Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Malik, BJD observer of Bargarh district.

The Election Commission is yet to announce the date for the by-election.

The by-election was necessitated following the death of Subal Sahu, who was elected thrice to the Odisha Assembly from Bijepur in 2004, 2009 and 2014.

--IANS

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