FIVE CANDIDATES IN RACE FOR DHAMNAGAR BY-POLL

Bureau,Odishabarta

Bhubaneswar: Altogether, five candidates remained in the fray for the by-election to Dhamnagar Assembly seat to be held on November 3.

Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sushil Kumar Lohani told media persons here on Monday that the nomination of one candidate was rejected on the last day of scrutiny. The five candidates whose nominations were found valid are Abanti Das (BJD), Suryabanshi Suraj (BJP), Baba Harekrushna Sethi (Congress), Pabitra Mohan Das and Rajendra Kumar Das (both Independents).

The BJD leader, Rajendra Kumar Das, an aspirant for the party ticket, had revolted and filed his nomination as an Independent candidate after the BJD denied him ticket and named Abanti Das as its candidate.

Lohani said since the model code of conduct has been enforced in the constituency, 1,167 people have been detained and non-bailable arrest warrants issued against 53 people. He said so far 187 weapons have been seized and 48 people arrested by the Excise department during raids and liquor worth over Rs 10.48 lakh seized.

The by-election to Dhamnagar was necessitated following the demise of BJP MLA Bishnu Charan Sethi. The BJP has fielded his son Suryabanshi Suraj as its candidate.

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