On the last date filing of nominations for the November 3 Tirtol Assembly by-election, BJD nominee Bijaya Shankar Das and two Independent candidates Sachitra Mallick and Golap Manjari Bhoi filed their papers on Friday.
A total of nine candidates have filed their papers. The BJD has made deceased MLA Bishnu Das’ son Bijaya Shankar Das to contest the by-poll in Tirtol reserve constituency.
The party has taken this step cautiously to avoid any revolt within the party in this crucial election. There were about three prominent aspirants seeking for the BJD ticket including Jagatsinghpur MP Dr Rajashree Mallick’s husband.
However interestingly, Dr Mallick accompanied Bijaya Shankar during filing of his nominations in the ADM office here along with MLA and BJD district president Prasanta Muduli.Party observers Sanjay Dasburma and Debasis Samantray, cine star and Rajya Sabha member Munna Khan and Minister Raghunandan Das also accompanied the candidate.Dr Mallick told reporters that Bijaya Shankar is like her son and she would strive hard for his victory.
MLA Muduli said the BJD is well ahead in the poll process against its rivals BJP and Congress and would win the seat by above 50,000 votes.