Bhubaneswar: Strongly protesting denial of nomination by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Khurda Assembly seat in Odisha, saffron party leader Kalu Charan Khandayatray alleged that the ticket for the segment has been sold.
Launching a scathing attack on senior BJP leader and Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi over the issue, Khandayatray claimed that she was responsible for selection of another candidate in his place. He said that he would contest the upcoming elections as an independent candidate following denial of ticket by the saffron party.
The open revolt by Khandayatray, former BJP candidate from Khurda Assembly seat, came after the party fielded Chilika MLA and former BJD leader Prashant Jagdev from the constituency.
Speaking to reporters, Khandayatray alleged that Aparajita, who is the BJP candidate for Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat, took around Rs two crore from Jagdev to recommend his name to the party leadership for the Khurda ticket.
“She had also asked me to pay Rs two crore. After I refused to pay the money, she took it from Jagdev and arranged the party ticket for him,” he alleged.
While Aparajita was not immediately available for comment, her supporters dismissed the allegation as false and baseless.
Stating that he would not tolerate injustice meted out to him, Khandayatray said he would ensure the defeat of Aparajita from Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat. He said he has worked hard over the last ten years to strengthen party’s organisation in Khurda, which falls under Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency.
He further claimed Aparajita could get around 95,000 votes from Khurda region in the 2019 elections because of his efforts.
It may be noted that his supporters had gheraoed party’s state headquarters here thrice before the ticket was announced.
In 2019 elections, Khandyatray had secured over 75,000 votes (43 per cent of total votes polled) and lost to BJD’s candidate by a slender margin. His entry into the electoral fray as an Independent may also benefit BJD that has fielded Rajendra Sahu from the Assembly seat and Manmath Routray from Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat.
Congress, on the other hand, has fielded Sonali Sahoo from the Assembly seat and Yasir Nawaz from Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat.
