Odisha Elections News Updates

During the intensified election surveillance in Odisha for the 2024 polls, substantial amounts of cash were seized in separate incidents in Bhubaneswar and Sonepur. Officials are enforcing strict measures to ensure free and fair elections, with recent seizures indicating heightened scrutiny.

Former Minister and Nimapara MLA, Samir Ranjan Dash, resigned from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) after being denied a ticket for the 2024 elections. Expressing dissatisfaction with the state leadership, Dash ended his long-standing association since 2006.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot criticized BJP and BJD at a Balasore meeting, calling them two sides of the same coin.

During the ongoing elections, Congress reportedly faced financial crunch with frozen AICC accounts impacting campaign efforts. The Congress chief expressed concerns over unequal campaigning capacities compared to rivals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Odisha on a two-day visit beginning tomorrow. He will start the campaign with a roadshow in Puri and then address public meetings in Angul and Cuttack. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah will also hold rallies in different parts of Odisha on May 19 and 21 respectively

The BJP in Odisha posted a satirical image on X of a 'flight ticket' in 'BJDGo' place for leader VK Pandian, on June 4, coinciding with election results day. This post came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made critical comments about the BJD government.

All 200 booths in the Bhubaneswar Central Assembly seat will be transformed into Sakhi booths to be managed and secured by trained women officials. This initiative aims to enhance security and facilities for women voters.

Villagers of Kaingadia in Balasore are frustrated with unmet promises on road connectivity. They have declared a poll boycott for the 2024 elections. They cited their commuting woes and health emergency issues due to poor road conditions. The issue has repeatedly been ignored by political leaders.

The Odisha BJP has challenged the BJD's free electricity announcement, urging the removal of meters to prove its sincerity.

The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police has identified and issued notices for the removal of 249 offensive social media posts amid elections.

In the third phase of Odisha's Assembly elections, 86 out of 383 candidates face serious criminal charges, including murder and crimes against women. A report by ADR and Odisha Election Watch reveals criminal background and the wealth of the candidates in the fray.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, at a public meeting in Odisha's Puri district, urged locals to fund a plane ticket to send BJD leader VK Pandian to Tamil Nadu post-elections, aiming to protect Odia pride. This statement comes amid BJP's confidence in winning Odisha's government for the first time.

BJP Vice-President Baijayant Panda criticized BJD's lackluster campaign events compared to vibrant BJP gatherings, during a party meet in Balasore. He highlighted the anticipated third-term win for PM Narendra Modi and emphasized the importance of securing BJP's first government in Odisha.

Top BJP leaders, including Manmohan Samal and Baijayant Panda, led a major roadshow in Balasore as part of 'Mission Odisha' to challenge the BJD's 25-year rule by promoting PM Narendra Modi's development agenda. The event marks a strategic push ahead of the crucial fourth phase elections in Odisha.

The second phase of the 2024 Odisha elections is set for May 20, covering 5 Lok Sabha and 35 Assembly seats. Over 79 lakh voters will participate, with substantial CAPF deployment in sensitive areas like Kandhamal.