Niranjan accepts Badri’s challenge

Surjit Kumar Dhal, Bhubaneswar, March 30:  Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik has accepted the challenge of BJD’s Ghasipura MLA Badri Narayan Patra to contest against him.

According to sources in Congress, Patnaik may now contest from a second seat also.

Keonjhar district Congress working president Ratikant Pradhan had said earlier today that the OPCC president will contest from Ghasipura, besides Bhandaripokhari, against his arch-rival and sitting BJD MLA Patra.

Patnaik himself also told reporters that he will contest from both the seats if the All India Congress Committee (AICC) permits him.

The OPCC chief said he has requested AICC to pit him in Ghasipura.

“I have guts to contest against him,” Niranjan said.

Notably, Badri had on Thursday dared Niranjan to contest against him and  alleged that the people of Keonjhar did not know Niranjan Patnaik.

“Can he say what he has done for this district,” he had asked.