#2019Elections: Odisha BJP wants Modi to contest from Puri
What's the story
The Odisha unit of the BJP today said it wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to contest from Puri Lok Sabha seat in 2019 general elections. BJP State President Basant Panda said the party will place its proposal for making Modi the party's candidate from Puri before the Parliamentary board of the party. "The parliamentary board will take the final decision," Panda said. Here's more.
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Modi's candidature will change state's political situation, feels Odisha BJP
Though the BJP didn't fare well in 2014 Lok Sabha election in Puri, the party's Odisha leadership believes that Modi's candidature will change the political situation in the state's coastal belt, considered the stronghold of the ruling BJD headed by Naveen Patnaik. In 2014 polls, BJP nominee Ashok Sahu finished third by securing 20.76% votes against Pinaki Mishra of BJD who bagged 50.33% votes.
Information
BJD's Misra won Puri seat in 2014 Lok Sabha elections
BJD's Pinaki Mishra won the seat while Congress candidate Suchamita Mohanty was in the second place. Of the seven Assembly segments under Puri Lok Sabha constituency, only one seat (Chilika) is with the BJP while BJD candidates won in the remaining six seats.