Odisha Assembly Elections: BJD, BJP Reveal More Candidates Ahead Of Polls Beginning On May 13

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have unveiled more candidates for the upcoming Odisha assembly elections set to take place from May 13 to June 1.

BJP unveils 4th list for Odihsa Assembly Polls. ( Image Source :getty )

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday unveiled its fourth list of candidates for the forthcoming Odisha Assembly elections. Among the eight candidates featured on the list are Murali Manohar Sharma, Arindam Roy, and Dr. Fakir Mohan Naik. Notably, the latest list from the saffron party includes representation of two Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates Seemarani Nayak from Hindol and Geetanjali Sethi from Kendrapara, and one Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidate, Dr. Naik, contesting from Telkoi.

BJP releases fourth list of candidates for the upcoming Odisha Assembly elections. pic.twitter.com/Kav7gF6k2M

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2024

Meanwhile, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) also unveiled its eighth list of candidates for the upcoming Odisha assembly elections. Odisha Chief Minister and BJD Chief, Naveen Patnaik, announced the names of three candidates for key constituencies, as per ANI.

1. Bhograi: Gautam Buddha Das
2. Begunia: Pradeep Sahu
3. Khurda: Rajendra Sahu

#WATCH | Bhubaneswar: BJD releases 8th list of candidates for Odisha assembly elections. Odisha CM and BJD Chief Naveen Patnaik declares the names of 3 candidates.

Bhograi: Gautam Buddha Das
Begunia: Pradeep Sahu
Khurda: Rajendra Sahu

(Video Source: BJD) pic.twitter.com/YbGgTGluLl

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2024

The initial announcement on April 2 revealed a list of 112 candidates, notably retaining 21 out of 22 sitting MLAs. However, Lalitendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra's exclusion from Brahmagiri in Puri district stood out, with his niece, Upasana Mohapatra, being fielded instead. Additionally, Manmohan Samal and Suresh Pujari were nominated for key constituencies.

On April 16, the BJP unveiled a list of 21 candidates, incorporating significant changes, including nominations for five recent turncoats from the BJD. Notably, Chaitanya Nandibali and former minister Surama Padhy emerged as new candidates for Pottangi and Ranpur Vidhan Sabha seats, respectively, replacing previously announced contenders. Padhy's tenure as a minister of state from 2004 to 2009.

The saffron party has so far announced candidates for 140 out of the 147 assembly segments, the BJD has declared 141 candidates, while the Congress has put forth 138 aspirants for the polls, reported PTI.

Assembly elections in Odisha are set to take place from May 13 to June 1, with voters casting their ballots to elect 147 members to the Odisha Assembly. Following the conclusion of voting, the counting of votes will commence, and the results are slated to be declared on June 4.