Niranjan, Badri file nominations for high-voltage ‘Ghasipura battle’

Keonjhar: The Ghasipura constituency in Odisha’s Keonjhar district is all set to witness a high-voltage clash between senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik and BJD heavyweight Badri Narayan Patra in the upcoming assembly polls as the two filed their nomination papers today.

Patnaik and Patra submitted the papers at the office of the Anandapur Sub-Collector in the presence of the concerned Returning Officer. The two had locked horns for the last time in the 2009 assembly polls from the very constituency and Patnaik had lost to Patra.

“I am deeply touched by the love and warmth shown to me today by the people of Ghasipura during the filing of my nomination. I promise them that I will work for their welfare to the best of my abilities. Let’s work together and build the future of our dreams,” said Patnaik.

School & Mass Education Minister and Ghasipura MLA Patra had earlier dared Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Patnaik to contest against him from the constituency.

Accepting the challenge from his arch-rival, Patnaik had then decided to contest against Patra from Ghasipura seat. This apart, Patnaik will file his nomination papers from Bhandaripokhari seat in Bhadrak district on April 8 after addressing a huge rally, party sources said.

Notably, Ghasipura, which falls under Keonjhar Lok Sabha constituency, will go for polls in the third phase on April 23.