BJD ropes in senior leaders to oversee Patkura campaign

Bhubaneswar: The BJD has roped in senior leaders to ensure the party’s victory in

Patkura

assembly poll with the Election Commission of India (ECI) expected to announce a new date for the poll any time now. Election to the seat under Kendrapada parliamentary constituency was adjourned due to Cyclone Fani that hit the state on May 3 .

According to BJD sources, a meeting of senior party leaders was recently held at Naveen Niwas, the residence of party president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik, to discuss the strategy for the poll. “Two senior leaders and one co-ordinator will be in-charge of each block in the constituency to ensure the BJD candidate’s victory. The co-ordinators will work as a link between top leadership and local leaders,” said a senior BJD leader.

BJD’s campaign strategy will be finalized after announcement of the election date. Since the ruling party has won all six assembly seats under Kendrapada parliamentary segment and MP seat also, the BJD camp feels that the Patkura result is likely to go in its favour. Though there are 10 candidates in the fray in Patkura, the ruling BJD is facing tough challenge from BJP heavyweight Bijoy Mohapatra. The Congress has fielded Jayant Kumar Mohanty.

Initially, the election was scheduled on April 29. But was adjourned due to death of BJD candidate and sitting MLA Bed Prakash Agarwalla. The ECI re-scheduled it on May 29 as BJD fielded Sabitri, wife of the late MLA, as its candidate. But this date also could not be adhered to because of the cyclone.