Naveen Patnaik files nomination from Kantabanji in Odisha

Titilagarh (Balangir): Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today filed his nomination as the BJD MLA candidate for Kantabanji Assembly in Balangir district.

Accompanied BJD supporters and leaders including 5T Chairman VK Pandian, the BJD Supremo headed for the sub-collector’s office at Titilagarh in a grand procession to file his nomination papers for the second time for the ensuing polls.

He reached Titilagarh City High School in a special chopper and went to the sub-collector’s office.

The election to Kantabanji Assembly seat holds significance for the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) as the regional party had finished third in the previous 2019 polls. After Patnaik announced to fight from Kantabanji apart from Hinjili in the forthcoming elections, winning the seat has become a ‘prestige’ issue for the BJD.

The ruling party was defeated by Congress in 2019. Therefore, a big fight will take place between Patnaik and his rival Congress candidate Santosh Singh Saluja to win Kantabanji, the Congress stronghold.

Winning Kantabanji seat has become a ‘prestige’ issue for the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) as the party was defeated by Congress in last assembly elections. A big fight is expected between Patnaik and his rival Congress’ candidate Santosh Singh Saluja to win Kantabanji Assembly seat.

Like 2019, Patnaik will be fighting the assembly polls from two seats — Hinjili and Kantabanji — in the ensuing 2024 polls. On April 29, Patnaik filed his nomination paper to fight the polls from his constituency Hinjili in Ganjam district. Last time, the CM had fought from Hinjili and Bijepur Assembly seats.