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The Times of India
The Times of India
National
Debabrata Mohapatra | TNN

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik names slain minister Naba Kisore Das' daughter Dipali as BJD nominee for Jharsuguda bypoll

BHUBANESWAR: As widely expected, Dipali Das, the daughter of former cabinet minister Naba Kisore Das, who was shot dead by a police officer on January 29, was on Friday named as the BJD nominee for Jharsuguda bypoll, scheduled to be held on May 10. The assembly seat fell vacant following Naba Kisore’s death.

"Ms Dipali Das, daughter of late Naba Kisore Das, is the Biju Janata Dal candidate for byelection to 07-Jharsuguda assembly constituency," read the BJD's announcement, signed by chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik.

Though management graduate Dipali (27) will debut in an electoral battle, she has been active in political and social activities for the past few years.

She was often seen in public with her late father. She is considered Naba's political heir even when he was alive. After her father's death, Dipali and her brother Vishal (29), also a management graduate who looks after their family business, have been attending many grassroots political and social events in Jharsuguda. BJD sources said Dipali's candidature is aimed at drawing sympathy votes.

Tankadhar Tripathy, a former state president of BJP Yuva Morcha, is a strong contender for the BJP ticket from the seat, whereas the Congress has formed a committee to select its candidate.

The murder of Naba Kisore and failure of the state Crime Branch in establishing the motive behind his killing is likely to act as the main poll plank for the opposition BJP and Congress to counter the ruling BJD in the Jharsuguda bypoll.

"Our main issue will be the state government’s attempts to cover up the investigation. Two months have passed since the minister was murdered. People are still in the dark about the motive behind the murder," senior BJP legislator and leader of opposition Jayanarayan Mishra said outside the assembly.

Even though police arrested an assistant sub-inspector (ASI), Gopal Das, on charges of gunning down Naba Kisore in Brajarajnagar on January 29, the agency has not yet disclosed the motive behind the killing.

"We strongly suspect a deep-rooted political conspiracy in the murder of the cabinet minister. The government is deliberately trying to protect the bigwigs, who are the real conspirators," Mishra asked.

BJP MLA and opposition chief whip Mohan Majhi said the government’s proposal to seek the assistance of FBI to analyse the behavioural aspects of the accused ASI, who has been showing a prolonged history of mental illness (bipolar disorder), is laughable. The Congress has also decided to use the Naba Kisore murder as a weapon during the campaign trail. "We will raise different issues, including the disturbing law and order in the wake of the murder of Naba Kisore," said Congress legislature party leader Narasingha Mishra.

BJD said CM Naveen Patnaik has already informed the assembly twice that the government is committed to unveil the truth behind the murder and ensure conviction of those involved.

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