Bijepur bypoll: Stage set for triangular fight

Bijepur: Ahead of the by-election to the Bijepur Assembly constituency on February 24; BJD, BJP and Congress are all battle-ready and have now kicked off their campaigning one after the other.

While Congress candidate Pranay Sahu began campaigning today from Barapali after offering worship to Goddess Samaleswari, BJD candidate Rita Sahu accompanied by senior party leaders was seen campaigning door-to-door in Agalpur.

Sources said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will campaign for party candidate Rita Sahu in Gaisilat and Barpali blocks on February 19 and in Bijepur block on February 21.

On the other hand, BJP legislature party leader KV Singh Deo today visited Maharapali in Gaisilat block to campaign for party candidate Ashok Panigrahi.

In coming days, star campaigners of all the three front-running political parties will join campaigning.

While voting is scheduled for February 24, counting of votes and declaration of the results is on February 28.