Bhubaneswar/Bargarh: Resentment over selection of candidates often leads to protests within political parties following which party top brass and senior leaders are seen scurrying to pacify the dissidents. A similar scene is being witnessed in Odisha BJP after the party announced Sanath Gartia as its candidate for the upcoming Bijepur bypoll.
BJP leader Ashok Panigrahi, who was the saffron party's candidate for 2018 Bijepur bypoll, today once again claimed he is being ignored by the party. "During the 2019 general polls, I was neither given any responsibility nor invited to any party programme. I was silent but my supporters worked for the party. Now, once again, they didn't trust me."
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On being asked, whether he will campaign for the party, Panigrahi said, "I am still in the party and if the party gives me any election responsibility, I will definitely work towards it, but only after having a discussion with my supporters."
Panigrahi further clarified that he will not leave the party.
The Bijepur bypoll is scheduled to be held on October 21, while the counting of votes-cum-result declaration will be on October 24, 2019.
https://youtu.be/gBonr_CE3WE