Congress’ Puri Sadar MLA candidate Uma Ballav Rath injured in assault by miscreants

Puri: Uma Ballav Rath, senior Congress leader and party’s candidate for the Puri Sadar assembly seat, was injured in an assault near the Puri bus stand on Sunday evening.

Rath has lodged a complaint in this regard with the Kumbharpada police, on the basis of which an investigation has been initiated by the cops.

It is being suspected that the attack was a fallout of internal conflicts within the Congress party in the Puri district.

Reports indicate that unidentified miscreants attacked Rath near the Puri bus stand and quickly fled the scene.

This incident occurred amid tensions within the District Congress, which began on Sunday morning when some party members vandalized the party office. The vandalism was sparked by the party’s decision to change its candidate for the Puri Sadar Assembly constituency.

Initially, Sujit Mohapatra was nominated, but the All India Congress Committee (AICC) later replaced him with Rath in a revised candidate list published on Sunday. Mohapatra’s supporters were upset because he had already submitted his nomination before the change was made.

This led to an outburst of anger, with supporters storming the district party office, tearing down posters and flags, damaging furniture, and protesting against state Congress leaders.