Cong seeks votes to strengthen opposition in Odisha

Amdist the intensified campigning by BJD and BJP for the July 20 polling in Patkura assembly seat, opposition Congress Wednesday appealed to the electorate to help strengthen the opposition to maintain a healthy democracy in the state.

Congress cannot match BJD or BJP in money power and the "people are our strength", Odisha PCC candidate Niranjan Patnaik said.

Claiming that BJD and BJP have joined hands, he said it is evident from the recently Rajya Sabha elections in the state where the ruling party supported Ashiwini Vaishnav of BJP, who won despite lacking adequate support.

"As both BJD and BJP have joined hands after the results of the 2019 general elections, Congress is the only opposition party in Odisha. Therefore, we appeal to the people of Patkura to vote for Congress and strengthen the opposition in the assembly," Patnaik told reporters.

Winning one assembly seat will not help BJD to form the government, but this one seat will strengthen the opposition in assembly, he said.

Rejecting allegations that Congress is lagging behind rival parties in campaigning, Patnaik said "We are reaching the people steadily. Our leaders are making door-to-door campaign."