As expected, former Kandhamal BJD MP Hemendra Chandra Singh’s widow Pratyusha Rajeswari Singh is almost sure to be the party’s candidate for the October 15 by-election from the Kandhamal lok Sabha constituency.
Pratyusha Singh on Friday met BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and reportedly conveyed her willingness to contest the bypoll necessitated by her husband’s recent death on September 5.“I will like to serve the people of Kandhamal given an opportunity,” she told reporters after meeting Patnaik.
Pratyusha Singh, who hails from a royal family in Nepal, said she would respect the decision of Patnaik. Her husband had won the elections in April by over a margin of 1.8 lakh votes.The BJD hopes to cash in on the sympathy factor due to the untimely death Hemendra Singh.
Meanwhile, the BJP has reportedly zeroed in on candidature of party State vice-president Ashok Sahu for the by-election though a section of party leaders are contemplating to field former Kandhamal BJD MP Rudra Madhab Ray as the saffron party’s candidate. Ray has been suspended from the BJD on ground of anti-party activity in the wake of being denied party ticket to seek reelection from Kandhamal for the last elections.
The Congress is toying with an idea of fielding its former Kalahandi MP Bhakta Charan Das for the Kandhamal bypoll.Meanwhile on Friday, the Returning Officer and Kandhamal district Collector issued a notification for the by-election for the Kandhamal lok Sabha seat.After this notification, filing of nomination papers is open from immediate effect and will continue till September 26.