Former Odisha MLA Devendra Sharma Not To Contest 2024 Polls; Daughter Debasmita Applies For Congress Ticket

Bhubaneswar: Senior Congress leader and former Odisha MLA Devendra Sharma on Monday said that he will not contest the upcoming elections in the state.

On the other hand, his daughter Debasmita Sharma, who is a doctor by profession, is getting ready to take a plunge into electoral politics this time. She is stated to be very keen to get closely associated with active politics.

Debasmita has reportedly applied for Congress ticket to contest the upcoming Assembly election from Aul constituency in Kendrapada district, a seat earlier represented by her father.

Notably, Devendra Sharma was elected to the state Assembly from Aul constituency as a Congress candidate in 2014 by defeating Biju Janata Dal (BJD) nominee Pratap Keshari Deb. Sharma was, however, defeated by Deb in 2019 Assembly elections.

Announcing his decision to not contest elections any more, Sharma said his daughter, who is active in politics and associated with the Congress party, is set to contest election this time.

Stating that young people are increasingly now coming forward to get involved in politics, he said this is good for the state and the country.

On her decision, Debasmita said that her grandfather, who was a doctor, later entered politics and served the people as an MLA, while her father was also a legislator from Aul. She said she draws inspiration from both.