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Bargarh: Amid high security, BJP candidate Ashok Panigrahi today filed nomination for the Bijepur bypoll which is scheduled for February 24. However, the Congress is yet to announce its candidate for the by-election.
After Ashok Panigrahi filed his nomination, the BJP took out a mega rally in presence of senior party leaders Basant Panda, KV Singh Deo, Arun Singh along with Ollywood stars Mihir Das and Anu Choudhury.
In a show of strength ahead of the election, the saffron party claimed to emerge victorious in the by-election by a huge margin of over 30,000 votes.
The people of Bijepur will no longer tolerate the ‘gundaraj’ (hooliganism) of the corrupt BJD government. The huge turnout today itself shows what the people of Bijepur want. We will win the bypoll by over 30,000 votes - Panigrahi
The saffron party’s state president Basant Panda said “The thousands of people who have gathered in support of Panigrahi prove his popularity in Bijepur. People have love and respect for him and it will help us win the seat.”
Meanwhile, the BJD claimed that such show of strength by the BJP will have no impact on the party’s prospects in the bypoll.
“The BJP doesn’t even understand what it says. Such rallies can’t change the mindset of the people who know the chief minister and his dedication and welfare initiatives. We will definitely win the seat,” said BJD spokesperson Samir Das.
On the other hand, the six-member panel of the Congress led by former Chief Minister Hemananda Biswal is still in a quandary over its candidate for the bypoll. Former Bijepur MLA and Minister Ripunath Seth and Gaisilet block vice-chairman Pranaya Sahu are the two frontrunners.
Congress MLA from Jharsuguda Naba Kishore Das said the decision to select the candidate is now pending before the party high command and in a day or two the announcement will be made.
