Bhubaneswar, Jan 11: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Bhakta Charan Das has dropped hints about contesting his final electoral battle in the Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat in 2024. Speaking at a gathering in Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi district, Das expressed his eagerness to participate in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the region. He conveyed his heartfelt desire to serve the people of Kalahandi with dedication if given the opportunity this time, emphasizing that this would be his last election.
During his address, Das highlighted the significant work he has undertaken for the area, pledging to accomplish even more if re-elected. He pointed to the various project works initiated during his tenure as an MP, including the sanctioning of Rs 272 crore for the development of the Sunabeda Sanctuary under the erstwhile Congress government.
Addressing speculations about his potential candidacy from the Narla Assembly constituency instead of Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat, Das clarified his stance, putting an end to the suspense surrounding the matter. Despite the uncertainties, he remains committed to representing the people of Kalahandi.
Bhakta Das, currently serving as the Congress screening committee chairman in various states, received a warm welcome from local Congress workers upon his arrival in Kalahandi. Taking the opportunity to criticize both state and central governments, he expressed his dedication to the welfare of the region and its residents.
Having been elected three times from the Kalahandi LS seat in 1989, 1996, and 2009, Bhakta Das has a notable political history. Although he faced defeats in the 2014 and 2019 elections as a Congress nominee, securing more than 25 percent of votes in the Kalahandi LS election, Das remains a prominent figure in the political landscape of the region.
