Odisha Elections 2019: Pinky Pradhan lone woman candidate in BJP’s 2nd list

Bhubaneswar: Even as all the political parties claim to field more women candidates in the upcoming general elections, Pinky Pradhan is the lone woman candidate announced by the BJP in its second list for 22 Assembly seats in Odisha.

The actor turned politician Pinky will be contesting the Assembly polls from Digapahandi constituency against senior BJD leader Surjya Narayan Patro and Congress’ Prafulla Panda.

“The ticket is not given to me, rather I will be representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Digapahandi. I will contest the polls as the daughter-in-law of the constituency,” said Pinky.

With Pinky Pradhan, total 10 women candidates were given tickets by the saffron party for the Assembly elections so far.

Earlier, BJP had announced the list of poll candidates for 100 Assembly seats. In the first list, only nine women candidates were nominated to contest the polls.

Here’s the list of BJP women candidates announced so far for Odisha Assembly Elections 2019:

Radha Rani Panda – Brajarajnagar
Kusum Tete – Sundargarh
Babita Mallick – Binjharpur (SC)
Rita Rani Bagarti – Khariar
Archana Pradhan – G Udayagiri (ST)
Pravati Parida – Nimapara
Surama Padhy – Ranpur
Irani Roy – Nayagarh
Bharati Behera – Khalikote (SC)
Pinky Pradhan – Digapahandi