Odisha Bypoll: BJD Names Sunita Biswal As Co-Observer For Laikera, Kaimira Blocks In Jharsuguda

Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday appointed Sunita Biswal as the co-observer of Laikera and Kaimira blocks for the ensuing by-election to Odisha’s Jharsuguda Assembly constituency.

The appointment of Biswal has been made with immediate effect, according to a party office order issued by BJD’s Organisational Secretary Pranab Prakash Das.

The appointment of Biswal is aimed at further bolstering BJD’s prospects in the bypoll slated to be held on May 10 by strengthening its base in the two blocks. It assumes significance as the ruling BJD is leaving no stone unturned to ensure victory in the by-election.

Biswal, daughter of late Congress veteran and former Chief Minister Hemanand Biswal, had joined the ruling BJD ahead of the 2019 elections.

BJD has earlier appointed seasoned campaigners as block and municipality observers for Jharsuguda by-election.

Pratap Jena, Pushpendra Singhdeo, Snehangini Chhuria and Rita Sahu are given charge of urban Jharsuguda, while Padmanav Behera and Arun Sahoo are focussing on Jharsuguda block. 

Kirmira block, which has 33,901 votes, has been assigned to Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and Tukuni Sahu, Kolabira block with 37,810 votes to Niranjan Puri and Saroj Meher, while Laikera block with 39,703 votes to P K Deb and D S Mishra.

The party has also appointed senior leaders Prasanna Acharya, Debi Prasad Mishra and Sarada Nayak as observers for the upcoming bypoll. The seat fell vacant following the death of Health Minister Naba Kishore Das on January 29.

The BJD has fielded Deepali Das, daughter of the late minister, hoping for a victory by cashing in on the sympathy wave. A win for Deepali might also reduce the discussion on Naba Kishore Das’ murder, and in a way help ruling BJD wriggle out of an embarrassing situation ahead of the next polls. It will also help the party to quell the BJP challenge in the region.