The BJD in Odisha headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Sunday retained the Pipili Assembly seat with its candidate Rudra Pratap Maharathy winning the bypolls by defeating his nearest rival BJP's Ashrit Pattnaik by 20,916 votes, the poll body said.
Ruling BJD candidate Rudra Pratap Maharathy won the Pipili by-poll on Sunday, defeating his nearest rival Ashrit Pattnaik of the BJP by over 20,000 votes, the Election Commission said.
BHUBANESWAR: With Pipili assembly constituency in Puri district heading for a by-election, Pratibha Maharathy, wife of deceased BJD MLA Pradeep Maharathy expressed her desire to fight the by-poll on a BJD ticket. Responding to media queries here, Pratibha said she will be very happy, if she is given a chance.
“It does not matter who wants what. The decision regarding candidate selection depends on BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik. I will also accept whatever decision is taken by the BJD president,” said Pratibha. She, however, refused to comment when asked whether any senior leader from BJD, contacted her to discuss the by-election. By-election to the politically-sensitive seat has been necessitated following death of Pradeep Maharathy on October 4. Maharathy had elected from the seat for a record seven times.