Odisha Elections: Sanjay Behera, Supporters Visit Naveen Niwas; Did They Protest Denial Of BJD Ticket For Barabati-Cuttack?

Bhubaneswar: Amid reports of resentment over selection of BJD candidate for Barabati-Cuttack Assembly seat, Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) secretary Sanjay Behera visited Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s residence in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

Sanjay, who was an aspirant for BJD ticket for Barabati-Cuttack Assembly constituency, visited Naveen Niwas along with his father Ashirbad Behera and over 15 corporators from Cuttack.

As per reports, a large number of supporters also accompanied them to protest denial of BJD ticket to Sanjay for the seat.

It was speculated that Sanjay and others visited Naveen Niwas to protest nomination of Prakash Behera by the ruling party for the Assembly seat. Prakash, who hails from Salipur area of the district, was described as an outsider for the Assembly constituency.

Sources said Sanjay and his supporters also opposed BJD’s Cuttack district president and Rajya Saha member Debasis Samantray.

While Sanjay’s supporters, including the corporators, expressed their resentment against nomination of Prakash from Barabati-Cuttack, it was not clear whether they conveyed the same to the party supremo.