Jharsuguda bypoll: Candidates' family members and party heavyweights hit campaign trail

With barely days left for the crucial Jharsuguda bypoll, the candidates are not leaving any stone unturned to woo the voters. It is not only the candidates, who have hit the campaign trail, rather their respective family members too are busy with door-to-door visits and attending public meetings.

For Congress candidate Tarun Pandey, both his mother and sister are now busy campaigning for him. Tarun’s sister Sarita stays in Mumbai and she is now in Odisha to assist her brother. Similarly, Tarun’s mother Tarulata said that her husband and former MLA Birendra Pandey’s election management will certainly help her son this time.

“People are happy to see me as I was also with my husband. We are getting good responses from people here,” said Tarulata.

Similarly, for BJD candidate Dipali, her mother and brother too, are walking the extra mile to assist her in campaigning. However, Dipali’s brother Vishal is taking the lead and is accompanying his sister at various meetings and programmes.

“Dipali’s campaigning is going on well. If we continue to receive the blessings of people, Dipali will certainly win,” said Vishal.

“CM has always encouraged women and youths. I will work for the development of women here,” the BJD candidate said.

BJP candidate Tankadhar Tripathy’s wife Gudiya is also not far behind. As the BJD candidate is a woman, Gudiya is trying to ensure that the BJP bags the maximum votes from the women voters in the area.

“There has been no development for the common people, who have been deprived of basic amenities, as there has been development of a particular family here,” said BJP candidate, Tankadhar Tripathy.

Not only candidates and their family members, Jharsuguda is also witnessing a fight between the heavyweight leaders of various political parties as well. BJP National Vice-President, Baijayant Panda campaigned for party candidate through ‘Chai Pe Charcha,’ which was also attended by state BJP chief, Manmohan Samal.

“People here are aggrieved as there is ill-governance for the past 23 years. There has been a considerable rise in the number of crimes in Odisha including kidnapping, murder and rape. From the response we are getting and the way people are admitting that mafias are running the government here, they have made up their minds for a change,” said Panda.

MP Jual Oram also attended several meetings and a motorcycle rally.

BJD Minister Tukuni Sahu, and MLA Barshasingh Bariha accompanied party candidate Dipali Das in various public meetings and roadshows.

While PCC President also campaigned at various panchayats in Laikera, Tarun Pandey was busy campaigning in the municipality areas.

Odisha Congress president Sarat Patnaik said, “The way people are supporting the Congress and our candidate, we will win the Jharsuguda bypoll.”