Ahead of vote, Odisha CM Naveen promises district status to Padampur 

“As the moral code of conduct for the by-poll is in place, the CM didn’t make an official announcement, but the BJD will include the assurance in its poll manifesto,” said Umesh Sahoo, a member of the action committee.

“The CM has assured us to give a district tag to Padampur within a year. We are very happy over the decision. This is will be included in the BJD’s manifesto,” Bharat Das, another member of the action committee, said.

Commenting on the development, Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari said, “We have called the members of the Padampur action committee members to discuss their demands. During the discussion, the Odisha CM assured the district tag to Padampur.”

Meanwhile, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Sarat Patnaik has termed the move as a political stunt.

“There are many subdivisions which need district tag. Why Padampur only? Titlagarh has been demanding a district status since Biju Babu’s regime," Patnaik said.

“The BJD had promised Gangadhar Meher irrigation project during Bijepur bypoll but it is yet to be functional. The CM only make promises and he is not with the people,” demanded BJP general secretary Prithiviraj Harichandan.

“CM Naveen did not fulfill the promises he made to Bijepur voters during the elections. CM Naveen only makes false promises never executes them. The CM will assure every demand during the election,” said Suresh Pujari, Bargarh MP.

Speaking on the development Congress legislature party leader Narasingha Mishra said, “In 2014, the CM had announced to set up Agriculture University in KBK area. But, he has failed to keep his words. CM’s assurance to Padampur residents will have no impact on the election.

(Reported By Harihar Chand)