Bhubaneswar, Oct 15: Odisha’s veteran Congress leader Narasingha Mishra says no to this time election.
Mishra made his view public on Sunday while answering some media persons, regarding his blueprint for the 2024 Assembly Election.
While interacting with the press personnel regarding his political roadmap for the 2024 election afoot, Mishra said that he would not contest in the forthcoming Assembly election.
Mishra said, “I am now 83 years old. My broken health condition does not permit me visit my constituency to fulfill all the dreams and needs of my area, as expected by my area people. I have taken the final decision of not contesting in the Assembly elections”
“I have mentally decided not to enter the fray this time. I will officially inform the party high command in this regard soon,” he added.
However, he said, it is up to the party office-bearers to decide whether he will be freed from electoral politics this time or not.
On the other hand, he recommended that his son Samarendra Mishra who is a member of All India Congress Committee (AICC) would contest as the Congress candidate from the Balangir Assembly constituency.
“ Samarendra has been supporting me in every party-related affairs and boosting the Organisation of the Congress party in the Balangir district. I am sure, he would get the party ticket provided, with the approval of the Odisha Pradesh Committee which will be finalized later,” he added.
However, he said he would actively support the Congress in election activities including campaigning for its candidates in the district.
Samarendra who had contested as a Congress candidate from the Balangir Lok Sabha Constituency in 2019 also honoured his father’s decision. Speaking to the media on the sideline of a function in Cuttack on Saturday, he said he is keen to contest as a Congress candidate from the Balangir Assembly Constituency.
