Odisha Bypolls: We Fought The Polls On People’s Issues, Says BJP

Bhubaneswar: Major political parties in Odisha have begun analysis of their performance in the recently concluded bypolls in Balasore and Tirtol assembly constituencies.

The results of the bypolls clearly indicate that the ground is fast slipping for the Congress, while there the keen contest between the BJD and BJP is viewed as an indication of the emerging voter’s mood in the state.

BJP State president, Samir Mohanty on Wednesday said that the party fought the bypolls on the issues concerning the people. The party went to the polls by harping on the failure of the Odisha government in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and the issues related to providing employment to the returnee migrants.

“We accept the results and thank people in both Balasore and Tirtol constituencies for coming out to vote despite the COVID-19 pandemic situation. We fought the election on issues and people’s sufferings during the COVID-19 and the mismanagement by the government in dealing the pandemic ,” said Mohanty.

Mohanty said that the party will continue raking up such issues in coming days and try to strengthen the party at the grassroots level in order to win the confidence of the people.

“Tirtol was a stronghold of the BJD and we had tried to win the seat, but failed. The results have given a clear indication that in future there will be a direct fight between the BJD and BJP as Congress has lost is political relevance in Odisha. We will certainly revisit our strategy,” Mohanty added.

Though BJD emerged victorious in both Balasore and Tirtol bypolls, senior party leader Pratap Jena today stated that the fight was challenging. “But the results were satisfactory,” he said.

“Naveen Patnaik’s mantra of good governance and development worked for the party. The party’s official candidate for the Balasore Sadar seat was an ordinary party worker. The BJP rode on a sympathy wave and even Union Ministers campaigned for their candidate. However, the BJD managed to win the seat,” said Jena.

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