Bijepur bypoll: BJD contestant Rita Sahu files nomination, BJP begins campaign

Bhubaneswar: BJD candidate Rita Sahu on Monday filed her nomination papers for the Bijepur by-poll scheduled to be held on February 24.

Rita Sahu along with hundreds of supporters including ruling party leaders reached Padmapur sub-collector office in a mega rally to file the nomination.

Rita filed her candidature in the presence of a host of senior leaders, including party vice-president Prasanna Acharya and AU Singhdeo, Debi Mishra, Sanjay Das Burma and Anubhav Patnaik at the Padampur Sub-Collector’s office.

Congress candidate Pranay Sahu will file his nomination on February 6, the last date to file nominations.

BJP candidate Ashok Panigrahi has already filed his nomination papers setting the stage for a triangular fight in the Bijepur by-poll.

Meanwhile, the BJP on Monday started its poll campaign in the assembly constituency. It has started holding meetings in several areas to canvass votes for the party candidate Ashok Panigrahi.

Notably, the assembly seat had fallen vacant following the demise of MLA Subala Sahu on August 22, last year. Subal Sahu was thrice elected from the seat on a Congress ticket.

The ensuing by-election assumed significance as its outcome could set the tone for the 2019 assembly and Lok Sabha elections.