Odisha: Parties welcome poll panel move to defer Pipili bypoll

BHUBANESWAR: Major parties welcomed the Election Commission of India (ECI) decision to defer the byelection in Pipili, scheduled on May 16, in the wake of the Covid crisis.
The Congress, which had recently submitted a representation to the ECI demanding postponement of the byelection, thanked the commission for taking the right decision.
“Amid a raging pandemic, nothing is more important than saving lives. It should be given top priority. Though we are not against election, this is not the time to hold one. The situation could have been worsened had there been an election in Pipili now. We appreciate the ECI decision to defer the election,” said state Congress working president Pradeep Majhi.
The BJD and BJP, who had launched door-to-door campaign in the constituency to garner support, also appreciated the EC call.
“The decision taken by the ECI to defer the election is appropriate keeping in mind the Covid situation in the state and country. Our chief minister has always said that we are a responsible party and we will not like to put the lives of people in danger,” said senior BJD MLA Umakanta Samantaray.
Samantaray, who has been assigned by the party to oversee Delanga block in Pipili constituency, said the BJD would win the seat whenever the ECI notifies a fresh election date.
Appreciating the poll panel’s decision, BJP’s Prithiviraj Harichandan said it will help to contain the further spread of the virus.
“Our party has already started preparations for the bypoll. We are confident that people will bless the BJP whenever election is held in the constituency,” said Harichandan.
The byelection was necessitated following the death of sitting MLA Pradeep Maharathy. It was initially scheduled on April 17 but was countermanded following the death of Congress candidate Ajit Mangaraj. The ECI then scheduled the election on May 13 but changed it to May 16 as Id-ul-Fitr is likely to fall on that date.