Bhubaneswar: Ekamra Assembly segment in Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency is set for an interesting contest in the ensuing polls with BJD corporator Biranchi Narayan Supakar announcing to take on the party’s official candidate and senior leader Ashok Chandra Panda as an Independent.
Speaking to media persons in the city on Friday, Supakar said he has been a dedicated worker of the BJD for the last 30 years and was elected as corporator from 4 different Wards as party candidate. Considering his political experience, he had made ground preparations to contest in the Assembly elections this time, but the ruling party ignored him, he added.
“I respect the decision of chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik. But I have decided to step into electoral battle as per the wishes of the voters including women, students and youths of Ekamra constituency. Since I was denied ticket by the party, I decided to contest as an Independent candidate to respect their wishes,” Supakar said.
Stating that it was a matter of the interest of the constituency, the corporator said his supporters would also work for BJD’s Lok Sabha candidate Manmath Routray.
On his BJD rival in the election, he said though he respected Ashok Panda, he had some bitter experience from the senior leader. “BJD is a disciplined party. But Panda betrayed me twice in the elections and did not support me as a ticket aspirant for both times. However, I have no ill feeling towards him as I have been associated with him for a long time. But I will give him a tough fight in Ekamra where I have been working hard to serve the voters,” he added.
