Naveen names Rita Sahu as BJD candidate for Bijepur by-poll

Bhubaneswar: The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday announced former MLA Rita Sahu as the party’s candidate for the bypoll to Bijepur Assembly constituency in Odisha’s Bargarh district.

“I am indebted to the people of Bijepur for the blessings they showered on me. Bijepur would continue to be a focus constituency for me,” said BJD president and CM Naveen Patnaik while announcing the name of Rita Sahu as BJD candidate for the Bijepur by-election.

The Bijepur by-poll was necessitated after Naveen Patnaik vacated the assembly constituency. In 2019 General elections, Patnaik contested from Bijepur seat as well as Hinjili in Ganjam district and emerged victorious from both the constituencies.

Later, the Chief Minister retained Hinjili seat from where he has been winning from 2000 in a row and vacated the Bijepur seat.

Meanwhile, the Congress has announced Dilip Kumar Panda as the party’s candidate for the seat. The BJP is yet to announce its candidate for the Bijepur bypoll.

Sources said BJP would declare the candidate on Sunday.