Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jun 4:

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Prasad Harichandan today said that the people of Odisha have rejected the rule of Biju Janata Dal as obvious from the bypoll results of three ULBs announced today.

Prasad harichandan kalahandi

“BJD used all its force to win these by-elections. MLAs, MPs, ministers, actors were engaged in campaigning. However, we had our local workers and organisational machine working for us. They worked with dedication in these polls and I give them due credit for the win. This also says that the people of the state have rejected the arrogant and incompetent BJD,” said Prasad reacting to the result.

BJD, however dismissed the statement and said that the result indicates a deal between Congress and BJP.

“We would have certainly won in all three ULBs, had there been a three cornered contest. However, BJP and Congress joined hands and at the very last moment. BJP sold itself to Congress. This is what affected the outcome the most. The results of these polls won’t have any implications on the upcoming panchayat elections,” said BJD Spokesperson Pratap Jena.

BJP, on the other hand, blamed a deal between BJD and Congress to explain its misfortune in the polls.

“There is a new pattern of polarisation in the state. Both BJD and Congress – who call themselves secular parties -- have a tacit understanding between themselves to block BJP from coming to power at any cost. I believe they will continue to do so in the coming polls as well,” said BJP Spokesperson Sajjan Sharma.

Notably, earlier today, by-election results of three ULBs were declared where Congress candidates Gouri Das and Nagabhusana Achari won from Cuttack Municipal Corporation Ward No-21 and Ward No-9 of Buguda NAC respectively. While BJD was contained with only one win in Bhanumati Mazumdar from Umerkote municipal ward No-12 bypoll, BJP was not able to open its account anywhere in the state.