Bhubaneswar: Congress leader and party candidate for Bijepur by-poll Pranaya Sahu has ruled out any rift in the party and said that the party will fight with unity to ensure victory.
Speaking to media, Sahu said, “There is no rift in the party and all leaders are united.”
On questions about his alleged differences with Ripunath Seth, who was also a contender for party ticket for the by-poll ticket from Congress, Sahu said he and Seth had previously agreed that the other will support the person who gets the party ticket.
Both Sahu and Seth names the selection committee had proposed to the AICC high-command for the party ticket for the by-election.
The selection panel headed by Hemananda Biswal had also convened a meeting Friday evening to set aside friction among the two to ensuring party’s electoral prospect is not affected.
Seth, former Congress MLA, also said that he would continue to work for the party.
“The high-command may have found him (Sahu) more suitable than me. I have no objection to his selection and will continue to work for the party,” he said.
Meanwhile, with Congress announcing its candidate, the by-poll is all set to witness a triangular fight.
Former BJD MLA Ashok Panigrahi has filed his nomination as the BJP candidate for the by-poll, while ruling BJD candidate Rata Sahu will file her nomination Monday. Pranaya Sahu will file his nomination February 6, party sources said.
The by-poll has been necessitated following the death of Subal Sahu August 22. Sahu had won from the constituency for three consecutive times in 2004, 2009 and 2014 on a Congress ticket.
PNN
