Bhubaneswar: Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik filed his nomination papers as an Independent candidate from Ghasipura Assembly segment in Odisha’s Keonjhar district.
Accompanied by hundreds of his supporters, Patnaik went in a rally to Anandapur sub-collector’s office after offering puja at Maa Tarini temple at Ghatagaon. He submitted his nomination papers in the sub-collector’s office.
Speaking to the media persons after filing the papers, Patnaik, the former editor of a vernacular daily, said he would contest the election on the issue of development of the constituency. “Ghasipura has remained neglected in all aspects for a long time. The locals had approached me with their issues several times. I want to highlight their problems with the government as an MLA,” he said.
Patnaik also said he decided to participate in the electoral politics on the request of the voters of Ghasipura. “I was moved by the love and expectations of the people. I am confident of winning the election with their support,” he added.
Earlier, Patnaik, who was expelled from BJD in the wake of an alleged loan fraud case against him nearly eight months back, had told the media that several parties had suggested him to participate in the electoral politics.
“The BJP has proposed me to contest from Ghasipure Assembly seat. Besides, the local people have been meeting me regularly and pressurising me to contest in the elections,” he had said.
Patnaik will face BJD’s Badri Patra, BJP’s Shambhuath Rout and Congress’ Subrat Chakra in the elections to Ghasipura Assembly seat.
