Cyclone FANI aftermath: Patkura assembly poll postponed

Bhubaneswar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to extend the completion of poll to Patkura assembly constituency in Odisha’s Kendrapara district for 60 days, in view of the aftermath of cyclonic storm FANI in the state.

The fresh date of poll will be decided after assessing the local situation, official sources said.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had earlier requested the ECI for postponement of the election.

The poll was initially scheduled to be held on April 29 and later countermanded following the death of BJD candidate Bed Prakash Agarwalla and rescheduled for May 19.

The BJD has named Sabitri Agarwalla as its nominee for Patkura assembly constituency. She is the wife of late Bed Prakash Agarwalla.

The BJP and Congress have fielded Bijoy Mohapatra and Jayanta Kumar Mohanty for the seat, respectively.