Aparajita, Manmath file nominations for Odisha’s Bhubaneswar LS seat

Khordha: Two MP candidates of the BJP and BJD — Aparajita Sarangi and Manmath Routray — today filed their nomination papers for Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat in Odisha.

Playing conch and riding a bullock cart, BJD’s Lok Sabha candidate Manmath Routray came to Khordha Collectorate to file his nomination to fight from Bhubaneswar in the ensuing polls.

“I am a son of a ‘paika’ (soldier) and bullock cart is a symbol of a paika. I am overwhelmed to see the crowd who have come with me in my support for filing the nomination. I have taken blessings from Lord Jagannath, Lord Lingaraj, and my parents. I am sure, I will register a landmark win in the elections,” said Manmath.

Prior to heading for the collectorate with his supporters in a procession, Manmath went out for morning walk, bowed his head to Lord Lingaraj in front of the Lingaraj Temple seeking blessings for nomination.

On the other hand, BJP’s MP candidate Aparajita Sarangi filed her nomination papers at Khordha Collectorate in presence of her huge supporters. She offered prayer at Maa Bhuasuni Temple at Janla before heading to collectorate.

The women supporters of Aparajita took out a scooter rally from Baramunda to the collectorate in Khordha.

When asked to Aparajita about her fight with rival Manmath, who is the BJD candidate, she said, “I am not competing with anyone here. I have blessings from Lord Jagannath, Lord Lingaraj. I am thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who have immense faith on me and offered me ticket for second time as the MP candidate from Bhubaneswar. I have worked hard in past five years. And my work will decide the outcome.”

However, verbal spat between supporters of two candidates led to an untoward situation at the collectorate. They raised raising of slogans supporting their parties and criticising opponents outside the collectorate while Aparajita was filing her nomination before the Khordha Collector.