Bhubaneswar: Amid speculations that he may be asked by BJP to fight the upcoming Assembly polls, veteran tribal leader of the saffron party Jual Oram on Wednesday expressed his desire to contest his last Lok Sabha election from Odisha’s Sundargarh.
The former Union Minister was responding to a question about reports that he might be fielded by BJP as a candidate from an Assembly constituency in the upcoming elections.
Speculation in this regard appeared to have been fuelled by reports that BJP is now adopting the strategy of fielding MPs in Assembly seats. It is stated that the saffron party adopted this strategy in several states that went to polls in 2023.
Stating that he is not aware of any talks about him, the senior BJP leader said that the media or political opponents do not decide about candidature of anyone. The central leadership of BJP will take a decision in this regard, he said.
“However, I have already informed the party high command that I will fight Lok Sabha election for the last time from Sundargarh constituency,” the former Union Minister said.
Stating that he will not contest any election after the 2024 election, Oram said if the party asks him to contest for an Assembly seat, he will think about it then. “As of now, I am keen to contest from Sundargarh Lok Sabha seat,” the BJP leader said.
