Ahead of the upcoming elections, the candidate of the Biju Janata Dal(BJD) for the Patnagarh Assembly constituency in the Bolangir parliamentary seat faced protests from the Odisha Kendu Leaf Workers’ Association on Monday.
Notably, the BJD has renominated Saroj Meher as its candidate for Patnagarh on March 27.
The Association made it clear that since none of its state leaders was given a chance to fight the elections, it will protest against the BJD nominee for the Assembly segment.
Besides, the functionaries of the association alleged that a decision to oppose his candidature was taken as the BJD candidate has been sidelining the kendu leaf workers who will give a befitting reply in the upcoming elections.
As per reports, there are 55,000 members of the Odisha Kendu Leaf Workers’ Association in Patnagarh constituency.
Addressing a presser here on Monday, Makaru Panda, a functionary of the Association, said, ”It would have been better for the BJD, if it had fielded the state secretary of the Odisha Kendu Leaf Workers’ Association in Patnagargh. We will strongly oppose the BJD candidate.”
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Secretary of Kedu Leaf Workers’ Association (Khaprakhol), Dhuruba Chand said, ”We have 55,000 members including peons, chaprasi, checkers, circle checkers and head checkers. Our people are in all villages.”
He added, “We have held several rounds of meetings at villages and even all range areas. All our members have said to oppose the BJD candidate. If one of our leaders had been given a ticket, all would have supported the candidate.”
However, no reaction from the BJD was received.