‘Expelled’ BJD Leader Bipin Pradhan’s Candidate Wins Samiti Bypoll In Odisha’s Digapahandi

Berhampur: In a blow to the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Jamuna Nayak belonging to the camp of Bipin Pradhan, who was recently expelled from the ruling party, was elected as the chairperson of Digapahandi panchayat samiti in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Wednesday.

Sources said that she was elected unopposed as Biplab Patra’s faction did not file nominations.

Pradhan, a zilla parishad (ZP) member from Digapahandi in Ganjam district, was expelled from BJD for anti-party activities on September 1. This came a day after two factions of the BJD in Digapahandi, one led by Pradhan and the other by Patra, son of former speaker Surjya Narayan Patro, got into a fight outside the block office and also attempted to enter it after the bypoll to panchayat samiti chairperson post was deferred amid fear of law and order situation.

On September 18, the State Election Commission (SEC) of Odisha announced fresh schedule for by-election, stating that the voting for the post would be held on October 4, if necessary.

Pradhan had then claimed support of 14 of 25 samiti members.

Notably, both factions were eyeing to pocket the post after the death of chairperson Sunita Sethi around three months back amid amid speculation that the one who emerges victorious will get a BJD ticket from Digapahandi Assembly seat.