Soumya Ranjan Patnaik Declares Independent Candidacy for Ghasipura Assembly Seat

Bhubaneswar: Putting an end to speculations about his participation in the upcoming elections, Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik announced on Friday that he would contest from the Ghasipura Assembly constituency in Odisha as an Independent candidate.

The decision came after Patnaik addressed a public meeting in Ghasipura, Keonjhar district, where he expressed his gratitude to his supporters for their unwavering backing.

Expelled from the BJD following an alleged loan fraud case against him eight months ago, he found himself courted by various parties. The BJP, in particular, approached him to contest from Ghasipura. “The BJP proposed that I run for the Ghasipura Assembly seat,” Patnaik had revealed. Additionally, he said that the locals consistently urged him to enter the electoral arena.

As a former editor of a prominent vernacular daily, Patnaik’s decision to contest independently adds intrigue to the upcoming elections. His opponents include BJD’s Badri Patra, BJP’s Shambhuath Rout, and Congress’ Subrat Chakra.