Odisha Polls: Soumya Ranjan Patnaik To Contest From Ghasipura Assembly Seat As Independent

Bhubaneswar: Putting rest to speculations about his participation in the ensuing elections, Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik on Friday announced that he would contest from Ghasipura Assembly constituency in Odisha as an Independent candidate.

Patnaik made the announcement after addressing a public meeting at Ghasipura in Keonjhar district. The MLA said he took the decision respecting the wishes of his supporters in the constituency.

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.

He was also approached by the BJP to contest from Ghasipura. “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,” Patnaik had said.

But the former editor of a leading vernacular daily had not divulged his plans.

Patnaik will face BJD’s Badri Patra, BJP’s Shambhuath Rout and Congress’ Subrat Chakra in the elections to Ghasiputa Assembly seat.