Odisha polls: Dama’s daughter withdraws nomination

Bhubaneswar: Expelled BJD leader Damodar Rout’s daughter Pritinanda Routray today sprung another surprise by withdrawing her nomination from contesting the upcoming elections.

Pritinanda, who had filed her nomination papers as Independent candidate to contest the polls from Bhubaneswar (North) Assembly constituency, today withdrew the nomination, citing ‘delay in Independent candidate symbol allotment’ to her.

“I had filed the nomination as the Independent candidate to contest the polls. However, I am yet to get candidate symbol. It will not be possible to reach out to voters in 8 to 9 days. After consultation, I have decided to withdraw my candidature following due democratic process,” Pritinanda said.

Worth mentioning, Pritinanda had severed ties association with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) citing ‘personal reasons’. However, she surprised one and all after she announced to jump into the electoral fray as an Independent candidate for the upcoming assembly polls.