Das seeks divine blessings ahead of Lok Sabha elections in Odisha

Sambalpur: BJD organizational secretary and party candidate from Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat Pranab Prakash Das visited Samleshwari temple here on Friday and worshiped the goddess.

Das along with a huge crowd of BJD workers reached the temple and took the blessings of Goddess Samleshwari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur. Addressing media persons, he said, “Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has a soft spot for Sambalpur and I am grateful to him for choosing me as a candidate from Sambalpur. Development is the only agenda of our CM. The redeveloped Samaleshwari Temple is a shining example of his commitment. I promise to take this path of development forward in Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency.

He further said, “I am overwhelmed to see the huge crowd of people who came to congratulate me today. My father had a relationship with Sambalpur for about 60-70 years. It was here that he completed his studies. I have always considered Sambalpur as my second home. Today the people here made me realize that this is really my home. I am grateful to the people of Sambalpur for showing confidence in me.
Prominent BJD leaders from Sambalpur Rohit Pujari, Siddharth Das, Sanjit Mohanty and Sanjay Babu also accompanied Das. While leaving Sambalpur, he met former MLA and senior party leader Raseshwari Panigrahi at her residence.

Earlier in the day, Das visited Rairakhol and interacted with party workers there. He also visited Rengali and participated in a public meeting. The BJD candidate assured the gathering that he would come back immediately after the names of all BJD candidates were announced. The meeting was organized by Bishal Das, son of former minister Naba Das.
Das, the sitting MLA from Jajpur, was declared BJD candidate from Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat on Wednesday. On this seat, he will face BJP candidate and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.