Bhubaneswar: Quite on expected lines, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Saturday announced Rita Sahu as the party candidate for Bijepur Assembly by-poll scheduled to be held October 21.
“I am indebted to the people of Bijepur for the blessings they showered on me. Bijepur would continue to be a focus constituency for me,” Patnaik said while making the announcement at Naveen Nivas.
Rita Sahu, widow of former Bijepur MLA Subala Sahu, was elected to the Assembly from this seat in the by-poll held in February 2018 following the death of Subala Sahu. She had emerged victorious with a margin of 41,933 votes over her nearest rival and BJP candidate Ashok Panigrahi.
In 2019 election, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was elected from the Assembly seat in addition to his own Hinjili constituency. Later, he resigned from Bijepur seat, which will go for by-poll again.
Earlier, Odisha Congress had named Dillip Kumar Panda as its candidate for the by-poll September 25.
BJP is likely to announce its candidate for the polls Sunday, a source in the party said.