Bypoll campaigning continues in Balasore, Tirtol amid festivities

BHUBANESWAR: The Durga Puja festivities have not affected the high-voltage electioneering in Balasore and Tirtol assembly constituencies, both of which are heading to byelections on November 3.
A day after addressing a virtual rally in Tirtol, petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday addressed three back-to-back rallies in Balasore in the presence of senior leaders, including Union minister Pratap Sarangi.
In his speech, Pradhan highlighted the commitment of the Narendra Modi government towards ensuring the development of Balasore. He also attacked the state government for the second consecutive day over issues such as Covid mismanagement, lack of proper health infrastructure and unemployment.
“The BJD leaders, who have not done any development work in Balasore in the past 20 years, are shedding crocodiles tear for the seat now. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started the process to ensure the overall development of Balasore. Around Rs 1,000 crore has been released by the Centre for Balasore during the pandemic,” he said.
The BJP also mounted an attack on food supplies and consumer welfare minister Ranendra Pratap Swain for his remarks on late MLA Madan Mohan Dutta, whose death has led to the need for a byelection in Balasore. Swain had recently said that although BJD had been kept away from Balasore for some time (because of the party’s defeat in the 2019 polls), the byelection was an opportunity for the party to undo this. Many senior leaders, including the two Union ministers and leader of opposition Pradipta Naik, condemned Swain’s remarks. Manas Kumar Dutta, BJP’s candidate for the seat, who is the son of the late MLA, also objected to Swain’s remark.
Briefing reporters on Saturday, Swain clarified he had no intention of hurting anyone’s sentiment. “I am deeply saddened if my statement has hurt his son,” said Swain.
Although half of the BJD leaders, including ministers, who were camping in Balasore for the past one week have returned to their seats for the Durga Puja, several senior leaders like Naba Das, Ranendra Pratap Swain and Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi are still present in the area. The BJD’s general secretary, Sanjay Das Burma, campaigned in Tirtol on Saturday.