Odisha’s ruling BJD suspends all political rallies for Pipili bypoll

Bhubaneswar: In view of worsening situations due to resurgence of COVID-19 in Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) decided to suspend its all political rallies for rescheduled Pipili bypoll, announced party supremo Naveen Patnaik today.

Taking to the Twitter, Patnaik wrote:

BJD as a responsible party will not like to put the lives of people in danger. We contest elections to serve people. If the campaign has potential to endanger lives, I would earnestly appeal to political parties & @ECISVEEP to reconsider both the duration & method of campaigning.

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) April 19, 2021

The move came after sad demise of Congress candidate Ajit Mangaraj, who succumbed to COVID-19, last week.

Keeping the present COVID-19 crisis in mind, he appealed to all political parties and Election Commission of India to reconsider the duration and method of campaigning for the upcoming Pipili bypoll rescheduled on May 13.

Worth mentioning that Congress leader Ajit Mangaraj had contracted COVID-19 infection during public meetings and campaigns for the bye-election to Pipili Assembly Constituency. He was hospitalised after being tested positive for the virus. On April 14, the 52-year-old Congress candidate passed away while undergoing treatment at the Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar.

Following his death, the bypoll was rescheduled to May 13.