Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday released nine names in its sixth list of Assembly candidates. In the list, five of the sitting MLAs were found dropped.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is also the president of the BJD, announced the list of candidates via a video message in the afternoon.
The party fielded leading Ollywood actress Varsha Priyadarshini from Barchana, replacing the party veteran and incumbent lawmaker Amar Prasad Satpathy. Similarly, former finance minister and Kendrapara MLA was replaced by Ganeswar Behera, a former Congress leader, who recently joined the BJD.
The three others who were denied tickets include Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi (Simulia), Minakshi Mahant ( Champua) and Bagirathi Sethi (Anandpur).
Check the List of BJD Assembly Candidates:
Chilika- Raghunath Sahu
Andandpur- Abhimanyu Sethi
Saraskana- Debasish Marandi
Karanjia- Basanti Hembrum
Remuna- Bidyasmita Mahalik
Semulia- Subhasini Sahu
Barchana- Varsha Priyadarshini
Kendrapara- Ganeswar Behera
Champua- Sanatan Mahakud
BJD still to announce candidates for 21 assembly seats
