Cassian Baliarsingh

BJD supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday filed his nomination from Kantabanji Assembly seat in Bolangir district. He reached Titilagarh City High School in a special chopper from where he headed to the sub-collector’s office to file his nomination papers.

In a grand procession, the BJD supremo headed for the sub-collector’s office and filed his nomination papers. As the ruling party had finished third in the Kantabanji Assembly in the previous 2019 polls, Naveen Patnaik has reportedly decided to fight from the constituency this time apart from Hinjili in the forthcoming elections.

A Congress stronghold, Kantabanji saw Congress’ victory in 2019 elections. Therefore, political experts believe a big fight between Patnaik and Congress’ Santosh Singh Saluja. However, BJP has been alleging that the CM is fighting on two seats to ensure a backdoor entry of 5T chairman VK Pandian.

On Tuesday, the BJD President had submitted his nomination papers from Hinjili, which is scheduled to go to polls on May 20. With this, Patnaik is aiming to secure his sixth consecutive term from the rural constituency in Ganjam district.

The 77-year-old chief minister declared total assets of Rs 71.07 crore, including movable assets of Rs 14.05 crore and immovable property worth Rs 57.02 crore.

Also Read | Odisha Elections 2024: Opposition raps BJD for using scholarships to seek votes from students

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