Cyclone Fani: Naveen wants Patkura poll postponed

New Delhi: Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik Tuesday met the Election Commission of India in New Delhi seeking rescheduling of polls in the Patkura Assembly constituency due to the threat of ‘Cyclone Fani’.

Polling in Patkura Assembly is scheduled to be held on May 19.

Patnaik suggested postponing the poll to a later date so that communities can work together in harmony and administration can focus on saving precious lives and valuable property.

The Chief Minister also requested to remove model code of conduct with regard to disaster management for all coastal districts of the state.

On the other hand, senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra, who is contesting from the seat, accused Naveen Patnaik of hatching a conspiracy to ensure his defeat from the state.

 “I am aware of the conspiracies against me. They (BJD) have been doing everything they can to postpone the elections so that it can be conducted at a later date when the results of other seats are announced. Giving nomination to bed-ridden Bed Prakash Agrawalla was part of the plan. Now his wife has been given ticket, yet party is not confident about victory. Hence it wants to postpone the polls,” rued Mohapatra.

BJD has fielded Sabitri Agarwalla, wife of late Bed Prakash Agarwalla, from the Patkura Assembly seat.

The polling for the seat, which was supposed to be held on April 29, was adjourned following the death of the BJD candidate Bed Prakash Agarwalla.