The BJD on Saturday took a significant lead over other political parties for the coming Bijepur Assembly by-election by roping in to its fold the family of late Bijepur Congress MlA Subal Sahu.
The BJD held a much-publicised function at the party office here in the presence of party supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who formally announced the Sahu family’s joining in the State’s ruling outfit.
“Rita Sahu, wife of late Subal Sahu and other members of his family have joined the Biju Janata Dal today. Also 3,000 Congress workers from Bijepur have joined the party. This will strengthen the BJD,” said Patnaik.
“We joined the BJD as per my husband’s wish. I will contest the by-election,” said Rita Sahu to reporters.
Subal Sahu’s son Sumit Sahu said. “My father had started his career with the BJD. He had the wish of contesting in the 2019 Assembly polls as a BJD candidate though it could not happen due to some problems. We and our supporters have come here to fulfil his wish.”
Even if Naveen Patnaik did not declare so, it is decided that the BJD would have Rita Sahu as its candidate for the Bijepur by-poll as she, obviously assured by Patnaik, said that she would contest the by-election.
The BJD is undoubtedly expecting its victory on a sympathy wave for Rita Sahu due to her husband’s untimely death last month necessitating the by-poll.
On the other hand, the Congress said the Sahu family’s joining the BJD would have no adverse impact on the Congress’ poll prospects.
“The Sahu family has been sold out to the BJD. There will be no scarcity of candidates for the Congress. The BJD has inducted them due to fear of losing the by-poll,” said Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati.
BJP State general secretary Prithwiraj Harichandan and spokesperson Golak Mohapatra claimed that whatever strategy the BJD may take, the BJP would win the Bijepur by-election in view of the party having bagged six out of the seven Zilla Parishad seats in the area in the February pachayay polls.