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Bhubaneswar, Oct 24 (IANS) The stage is set for the by-election to the vacant Nuapada Assembly constituency in Odisha, with the final list of candidates confirmed after the last date for withdrawal of nominations ended on Friday.
According to an official statement, “Candidates were allowed to withdraw their nominations between 11 am and 3 pm. However, no candidate withdrew his nomination papers. As a result, a total of 14 candidates will contest the Nuapada Assembly by-election.”
It further added that the contesting candidates include Jay Dholakia from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Snehangini Chhuria from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Ghasiram Majhi from the Indian National Congress. (INC), Ramakanta Hati from the Samajwadi Party, Hemant Tandi from the Bahujan Mukti Party, and Shukadhar Dandsena from the Odisha Janata Dal.
Besides, eight independent candidates – Ashray Mahandan, Er. Chakranta Jena, Bhuvan Lal Sahu, Kishore Kumar Bagh, Neeta Bagh, Laxmikant Tandi, Bhaktabandhu Dharua and Lochan Majhi are also in the fray.
The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha also noted that five nomination papers were rejected during the scrutiny process.
The rejected candidates include Rajaram Sahu of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Sitaram Behera of the Rastriya Paribartan Dal, and three independent candidates, Kamal Kumar Chhatria, Purushottam Behera, and Bhujabal Adabangu.
Although 14 candidates are in the fray, everyone’s focus is on the triangular contest between BJP, BJD and Congress. Meanwhile, the political temperature is rising in Nuapada and senior party leaders have started campaigning ahead of the by-elections.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida left for Nuapada district on a two-day visit on Friday and is set to campaign for BJP candidate Dholakia.
Nuapada by-election is being considered important, because this is the first by-election after the formation of BJP government in the state. On the other hand, CPI-M on Friday announced support to Congress candidates in Nuapada by-election.
It is noteworthy that the by-election is to be held on November 11 while the counting of votes will take place on November 14.
–IANS
gyan/pgh