Padampur bypoll: Political storm ensues over BJD candidate Barsha's surname

While the much-awaited day for bypoll to Padampur constituency in Bargarh is only a few days away, political storm intensified on Thursday after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s tribal leader and Sundargarh MP Jual Oram targeted Biju Janata Dal (BJD)’s candidate Barsha over her surname and caste. 

During a political meeting in Jharabandha block in the poll-bound constituency, the BJP leader targeting the BJD candidate questioned, how after becoming Ramaranjan Baliarsingh’s daughter-in-law, she can campaign with Bariha in her surname. Oram also criticised Barsha saying after marriage she also is not a tribal girl.

The tribal leader also sought an answer if Barsha has participated in tribal feasts or not. Taking a jibe at Barsha, Oram also said that she is crying as she is about to leave (loose). 

“She is Ramaranjan Baliarsingh’s daughter-in-law, Barsha Baliarsingh. She is from Satyabadi, Puri. She has also never savoured tribal feasts. The person who couldn’t remain loyal to her caste, how will she remain loyal to her party and motherland,” said Oram while addressing the public.

Meanwhile, BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra expressed displeasure over Oram’s statement and said, “Such statement reveals his ill-mentality. He has raised questions on social and constitutional rights of a person.”

On the other hand, Bargarh’s Congress District President, Nihar Ranjan Mahanand said, “Whatever Barsha has done in her personal life, such defaming statement about a woman is not acceptable. Both the parties are locking horns over tarnishing the image of a person and are diverting from the main matter.”

Soon after BJD announced its candidate for the Padampur bypoll, several controversies popped up. Even posts surfaced on social media that she won’t stay in Padampur. However, some other social media posts countered the posts and claimed that Barsha is a native of Padampur and will live there. 

Meanwhile, Barsha shared a video on social media in which she asked whether she has the right to contest from her birthplace or not. 

“BJP is targeting me over my marriage. They are targeting me in different ways. Padampur is my birthplace; can’t I file my candidature and contest from here?” asked Barsha. 

Meanwhile, BJP candidate Pradip Purohit said, “Our party always respects women. For this reason, our President is a tribal woman.”