Berhampur MLA Bikram Panda likely to be named as BJD candidate from Gopalpur

Berhampur MLA and BJD leader Bikram Panda is likely to be named as the party candidate for Gopalpur constituency in Ganjam district in the upcoming General Election.

BJD’s Ganjam district president, Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik informed about the possibility on Friday.

“Panda has been assigned the party’s organizational responsibilities in Gopalpur. He has also been assigned to solve problematic issues and undertake developmental activities in the constituency. Hopefully, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will field Panda as the party’s MLA candidate from the Gopalpur constituency,” said Chyau Patnaik.

However, Chyau Patnaik refrained from making any comments on who will be the candidate from the ruling party from Berhampur.

“If Panda is fielded from Gopalpur, who else will fight from Berhampur will be decided by the Chief Minister,” he added.

With the Assembly election approaching fast, the spotlight is on the contentious Gopalpur Assembly constituency. The constituency has been witnessing a power struggle after the expulsion of the sitting MLA Pradeep Panigrahi from the BJD.