On the last day of filing of nominations for the by-election to the Padampur Assembly constituency in Bargarh district, the candidates of the three major parties and 10 Independents filed their nomination papers before the local Sub-Collector on Thursday.
BJD’s Barsha Singh Bariha, BJP’s Pradeep Purohit and Congress’ Satya Bhushan Sahu filed their nominations. While the BJP and Congress candidates are former MLAs of the constituency, Barsha is a new contender is the daughter of BJD MLA Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha, whose death last month has necessitated the by-poll.
Barsha, who filed her nomination paper first, was accompanied by former Bargarh MP Prasanna Acharya, all sitting MLAs of the district Debesh Acharay, Snehangini Chhuria, Susant Singh, Alaka Mohnaty abd Rita Sahu. The BJD, at the instruction from party supremo Naveen Patnaik, maintained a low profile during filing of Barsha’s nomination without any show of strength.
Present during Congress candidate Satya Bhusan Sahu’s filing of nominations were PCC president Sarat Patnaik, Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra, MLA Santosh Singh Saluja and former PCC chief Prasad Harichandan.
Pradeep Purohit was accompanied by BJP State president Samir Mohanty, Leader of Opposition in Assembly Jayanarayan Mishra, MP Sureshs Pujari MLA Nauri Naik and former Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo.
While the BJP has already started its campaign in the constituency, the Congress and the BJD will stage their shows from Saturday.
Obviously, the BJD will put all its strength not only to retain the seat but also because it is a prestige issue for it after its defeat the Dhamnagar by-poll. Dhamnagar may not be a big loss for the BJD as it was the BJP’s seat and the party retained it.