Umesh Panigrahi, 38, who moved to the Arabian nation some 11-12 years ago, is elated after casting vote for the first time in his life.
The voting for the crucial bypoll to Padampur assembly constituency in Bargarh district began today amid tight security. Polling will continue till 4 pm.
When contacted, Bargarh SP said that necessary action would be taken against them as per law if the allegations are found to be true. However, the local police officials are yet to comment on the matter.
With less than 24 hours to go for the Padampur bypoll, the preparations to ensure a free and fair election have reached final stages. While voting will start from 7 am and continue till 4 pm, a total of two lakh fifty seven thousand and four hundred seventy four voters will exercise their franchise at 319 booths.
While the Padampur voters are going to choose their legislator, the candidates in the fray are on pins and needles.
While referring to what the CM had yesterday said regarding the Padampur railway project, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “It seems to me that you (Naveen Patnaik) are not in a position to understand anything. Because of this, you are saying what your ministers want you to say.”
Targetting CM Naveen Patnaik, Sarangi said that the BJD had announced that Padampur will be made a district. It has been over two decades since the promise was made, but nothing has been done by the State government in this regard so far, she said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was in Padampur when he attacked Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over his remarks on the said railway project.
Padampur Constituency continues to remain economically backward even after over two decades of BJD remaining in power in the state.
Soon after BJD announced its candidate for the Padampur bypoll, several controversies popped up. Even posts surfaced on social media that she won’t stay in Padampur. However, some other social media posts countered the posts and claimed that Barsha is a native of Padampur and will live there.
Pradhan was at Badikata under Padampur constituency addressing a public congregation when he targeted the State government over its announcement of Rs 5 lakh loan without interest to women SHGs.
The raid was conducted late at night in presence of women and senior citizens in the house which has been slammed by Patnaik’s family.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday made a veiled attack on Naveen Patnaik, saying the BJD-led government is appropriating money meant for farmers.
Naveen’s move to visit Padampur assumes significance as it comes in the wake of BJD’s defeat in Dhamnagar Assembly by-election that concluded recently.
With the fraction between BJD’s candidate Barsha Singh Bariha and Mahendra Badhei, who aspired for a ticket, allegedly getting wider, the conch party is reportedly struggling to tackle the situation.
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