Bhubaneswar: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has unveiled its third list of candidates for the upcoming Odisha Assembly Election, announcing names for 75 constituencies after deliberation by its Central Election Committee.
In a significant move, veteran leader Niranjan Patnaik has been nominated to contest from the Bhandaripokhari assembly seat, showcasing the party’s emphasis on experienced leadership. Another notable candidate is Pruthvi Ballav Patnaik, son of former Odisha CM Janaki Ballav Patnaik, who will be contesting from the Begunia assembly seat.
The Congress has also made changes in its candidate lineup for three assembly constituencies. Devendra Bhitaria has been named as the party’s candidate for the Talasara (ST) assembly seat in Sundargarh, replacing Prabodh Tirkey, the former Indian hockey team captain. This decision reflects a strategic shift in candidate selection aimed at strengthening the party’s prospects in the region.
Furthermore, Upendra Pradhan has been designated as the new candidate for the Baliguda (ST) assembly seat, succeeding Surada Pradhan. Similarly, Bipin Bihari Swain has replaced Chiranjeevi Bisoyi as the party’s candidate for the Kabisurjyanagar assembly seat, indicating a recalibration of the party’s electoral strategy in these constituencies.