Rivalry Ignites at Puri Collectorate as BJD and BJP Supporters Clash During Nomination Filing

Puri, Odisha: Tensions flared at the Puri collectorate today as workers from the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came face-to-face during the nomination filing process for the Puri Lok Sabha constituency. The incident unfolded when BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra arrived to submit his nomination papers.

As Patra completed the paperwork, BJD’s Assembly candidate from the Satyabadi Assembly seat, former minister Sanjay Dasburma, also made his way to file his nomination. The sudden convergence of both parties’ supporters led to a charged atmosphere, with slogans echoing through the collectorate campus. The air resonated with cries of “Jai Jagannath,” “Jai Sri Ram,” “Narendra Modi Jindabad,” and “Naveen Patnaik Jindabad.”

The situation escalated rapidly, resembling a battlefield, until Puri Superintendent of Police, Pinak Mishra, intervened with a contingent of police officers, successfully restoring order.

In an exclusive statement, Patra expressed confidence in his electoral prospects: “This time, I am poised for victory. In the previous election, I had only 15 days to campaign. Over the last five years, I have worked closely with the people of Puri, and they are like family to me. Their unwavering support fuels my confidence.”

Patra also emphasized the divine blessings he believes are bestowed upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi and himself: “Lord Jagannath watches over us. Modiji’s pro-welfare initiatives have left a lasting impact, and I have diligently presented my report cards. The electorate will judge me based on my performance.”

Patra, who narrowly lost to BJD’s Pinaki Misra in 2019 by a mere 12,000 votes, arrived at the collectorate in a grand procession. His roadshow, spanning 50 kilometers, commenced from Uttara Chhaka near Bhubaneswar and culminated in Puri, drawing hundreds of enthusiastic supporters.

The electoral contest intensifies as Patra faces off against BJD’s Arup Patnaik, the former Commissioner of Police in Mumbai. Arup is scheduled to file his nomination papers on May 2. Meanwhile, the Congress’s Sucharita Mohanty, who contested the Puri Lok Sabha seat in 2014, is yet to submit her nomination.

In the upcoming election, Patra aims to surpass his previous performance, having secured 5,26,607 votes in 2019 against Pinaki Misra’s 5,38,312 votes. The battle for Puri promises to be closely watched, with each candidate vying for the favor of the electorate.