Congress' Puri Lok Sabha Candidate Returns Ticket Citing Fund Denial, Odisha Unit To Discuss Issue With Party High Command

Congress' Puri Lok Sabha candidate Sucharita Mohanty has returned her ticket to contest the election citing denial of party funding for her poll campaign.

In a mail to Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal, Mohant alleged that she was denied funding and Odisha in-charge of Congress Dr Ajoy Kumar "categorically" asked her to fend for herself.

She added that her request to change some of the Assembly candidates for segments that come under the Puri Lok Sabha seat was also not considered.

This comes after Mohanty launched a donation drive last week to seek monetary help for her campaign fromthe public. She had earlier contested in 2014 from Puri.

State Congress will now discuss the issue with the party high command as the last day of nomination filing is 6 May. Assembly elections and Parliamentary elections are being held simultaneously.

BJP candidate in Puri is its national spokesperson Sambit Patra, who also contested from here in 2019 but lost. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has fielded former Mumbai Police commissioner Arup Patnaik.

Earlier, two Congress candidates have already gone out of the contest. BJP's Surat candidate Mukesh Dalal was elected unopposed after Congress candidate Nilesh Kumbhani's nomination was canceled.

Then Congress' Indore candidate, Akshay Kanti Bam withdrew his nomination on the last day of withdrawal and joined BJP, giving a walkover to incumbent MP Shankar Lalwani.