Congress shows strength in Bijepur; Pranaya files Nominations

ONI Bureau: Thousands of Congress supporters congregated in Padampur, shouting slogans and extending support to the party, as Pranaya Sahu filed nominations for Bijepur bypoll.

PCC President Prasad Harichandan, former Odisha CM Hemananda Biswal, former PCC President Jayadev Jena, former Union Minister Srikant Jena, former MP Pradeep Majhi, Jharsuguda MLA Naba Das, Jeypore MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati, senior Congress leaders Sura Routray, Bapi Sarkhel etc. were present to cheer up Pranaya Sahu. AICC Secretary and Odisha In-charge Subhankar Sarkar was also present at the occasion.

Veteran Congress Leader Narasingha Mishra could not attend the event, but his son who was present there, would be stationed in Bijepur to lead the party’s campaign.

While BJD has fielded late Subal Sahu’s (three-time Congress MLA) wife Rita Sahu from Bijepur, BJP has fielded BJD dissident and former MLA Ashok Panigrahi from this seat. Pranaya Sahu was the Vice Chairman of Gaisilat block and is a grassroots Congress worker.