News from Berhampur

As per the allegations of Rani’s parents, her husband Lakshmi Maharana would often beat up her. Late on Monday night, they received a call from Lakshmi who informed them that Rani committed suicide.

To prevent post-poll violence in Ganjam, local police have imposed early closing hours on liquor shops, hotels, tea stalls, and eateries until June 4. The measures were announced by SP Jagmohan Meena alongside ongoing efforts to arrest criminals and maintain law and order through intensified patrols.

In Odisha, a video showing BJD Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha shouting at election surveillance personnel after his car was stopped has gone viral. This incident during intensified checks to ensure fair elections raises questions about rule exemptions for ministers.

Dilip’s father said, “Four persons with swords attacked us. We were in BJD and they attacked us for joining the BJP. The MLA’s husband is involved and he sent men to attack us. My son is survived by his wife and a 5-year-old son.”

Pradeep Panigarhi had been criticising Naveen Patnaik and VK Pandian since he switched over to the saffron party, resulting in his popularity being on the rise. 

The independent MLA candidate has been booked on attempt to murder charges and has been sent to judicial custody after the rejection of his bail petition.

In Berhampur, during polling, BJP's Pradeep Panigrahi and Independent Shibashankar Das clashed at a booth, resulting in minor injuries for Panigrahi. Post-incident, tensions flared at the police station with supporters demanding Das's release.

The BJP accused the Berhampur police of shielding BJD youth leaders in a gangrape case involving a Plus-II student. Despite detentions and medical examinations, key accused including BJD's Bikram Jena were released, sparking allegations of political interference and calls for an impartial probe.

The BJP protested against the alleged gang rape of a Plus-II student in Berhampur, demanding justice and accusing ruling party leaders of involvement. Police have arrested five, but protests may intensify if all accused are not arrested.

A Plus 2 girl student was allegedly drugged by her friends and later raped by eight accused. A case is registered, and police have detained the suspects.

The BJP is intensifying efforts to win the 2024 Odisha elections, with PM Narendra Modi leading public rallies in Berhampur to challenge the ruling BJD. The party targets winning in Ganjam to secure overall victory in the state, reflecting a broader strategy to strengthen its position across India.

In two of the four LS seats, party candidates were in second position. In Berhampur, the BJP’s vote share increased to 35.26 per cent in 2019 from 17.54 per cent in 2014. In 2014, the BJP’s vote share was 7.72 per cent in Aska, but it increased by 26.81 per cent to 34.33 per cent in 2019.  

"Have the people voted you to power to get the state governed by Pandian,” asked Tripura’s former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb.

While addressing Vijay Sankalp Samavesh at Ambapua in Berhampur, BJP National President JP NaddaJP Nadda said that the people of Odisha have been deprived of development by the current dispensation. 

On Berhampur Assembly seat, BJP is yet to taste victory. The party was earlier in fourth position and now climbed to number 2 spot.