Bhubaneswar: Making a U-turn, BJP leader Aira Kharabela Swain on Monday said he will not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as an Independent from the Balasore constituency in Odisha.
Addressing a press conference in the capital city on Monday, Kharabela, a former MP from Balasore, said he has withdrawn his statement and will not contest the Lok Sabha polls as an Independent candidate. On the other hand, he has urged the BJP to replace Pratap Sarangi as the party’s candidate in the Balasore Lok Sabha constituency.
“I had announced to contest the Balasore Lok Sabha constituency as an Independent candidate as the BJP had omitted my name from the party candidates list. However, I am now withdrawing that announcement, which was made out of anger. Now, I propose that the party remove Pratap Sarangi’s candidature from Balasore,” Kharabela told the media.
“Since I contested the Lok Sabha polls eight times and won thrice, the party should consider giving me the MP ticket for Balasore,” he said, adding, “If Pratap Sarangi wants to be an MP he should be given a ticket for Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency.”
“In case Pratap Sarangi is not interested in contesting for Lok Sabha election from Kandhamal, he can opt for Assembly elections from the Nilagiri constituency, as the sitting MLA Sukanta Kumar Nayak left the party and joined the Naveen camp.”
