BJP Releases List Of Candidates For 21 Assembly Seats In Odisha; Dilip Ray To Fight From Rourkela

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday released the names of candidates for 21 Assembly seats in Odisha, including notable figures such as Dilip Ray, Surama Padhy, and Padmacharan Haibru. Ray, who had been relatively inactive in politics since 2018, will contest from Rourkela, aided by a recent Delhi High Court decision staying his conviction in a coal scam case. His entry is anticipated to intensify the electoral contest in the Sundargarh Lok Sabha seat, where he holds influence.

ଆଗାମୀ ବିଧାନସଭା ନିର୍ବାଚନ ପାଇଁ ଭାରତୀୟ ଜନତା ପାର୍ଟିର ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରୀୟ ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷ ଶ୍ରୀ @JPNadda ଙ୍କ ଅନୁମୋଦନ କ୍ରମେ ଆଜି ଦଳର କେନ୍ଦ୍ରୀୟ ନିର୍ବାଚନ କମିଟି ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ୨୧ ବିଧାନସଭା ଆସନ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥୀ ତାଲିକା ଘୋଷଣା କରିଛନ୍ତି। pic.twitter.com/POi0YPPLkq

— BJP Odisha (@BJP4Odisha) April 16, 2024

The party has also shown confidence in veteran leaders like Baidhar Mallick and Padmacharan Haibru, fielding them from Kakatpur and Karanjia respectively. Notably, Surama Padhy has replaced Tapas Ranjan Martha as the candidate for Ranapur. Additionally, Chaitanya Nandibali has been nominated for Pottangi after an initial error in nominee selection.

Several turncoats have also secured tickets, including Badhav Hansdah and Kailash Kulesika, who switched from BJD and Congress respectively. New faces like Lalita Behera and Narsingh Bhatra have also emerged in the candidate list.

This announcement follows the BJP’s prior declaration of 112 MLA candidates and candidates for all 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha. With a mix of experienced politicians and fresh contenders, the BJP aims to strengthen its position in the upcoming elections.