Bhubaneswar, May 4: Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik has made his decision to contest from Ghasipura constituency in Keojhar district as an Independent candidate.
His decision has sparked interest and curiosity, especially given the historical context of the Ghasipura seat as the traditional stronghold of Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik, who happens to be Soumya Ranjan’s elder brother.
During a recent visit to the Ghatagaon Maa Tarini temple, Patnaik had said that he had received a proposal from the BJP to contest from Ghasipura. However, the BJP on Thursday nominated Shambhunath Rout from the seat.
As the election approaches, the political landscape in Ghasipura promises to be interesting.
Soumya’s decision to contest as an Independent candidate adds unpredictability in Keonjhar politics.
Meanwhile, Niranjan Patnaik, Soumya's elder brother and former PCC president, is contesting from the Bhandaripokhari assembly seat in neighburing Bhadrak district. It remains to be seen how this electoral battle unfolds in the coming days in Ghasipura.
