Bargarh: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former MLA Ashok Panigrahi who has resigned from the primary membership of the saffron party ahead of crucial Bijepur by-poll toady said that he will support the ruling BJD in the bypoll.
Panigrahi has denied joining any political party after resigning from the BJP. “I had a meeting with my supporters today and it was unanimously decided to extend our support to BJD for the bypoll,” said Panigrahi.
The by-poll to Bijepur Assembly constituency will be held on October 21. The counting of votes will be held on October 24. Sources said that Panigrahi is likely to join BJD formally after the bypoll.
In 2000, Panigrahi had contested from Bijepur Assembly constituency on BJP ticket and won the election. Later, he joined BJD. However, he quit the ruling BJD after he was denied ticket during the 2014 general elections.
Panigrahi again joined the saffron party during Bijepur bypoll in 2018 and unsuccessfully contested the election. He was defeated by BJD candidate Rita Sahu.
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