1 BJP worker killed, 8 injured in poll clashes at Odisha

Odisha is witnessing a high voltage campaign for the remaining three phases of both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections amidst reports of violence in some constituencies.

Top leaders of BJP, Congress and BJD on the campaign trail seeking blessings of the voters for their nominees. BJP President JP Nadda, who has been camping in the state since yesterday, held a mega roadshow at Bhubaneswar this morning. He will also address two rallies in Sundergarh and Bargarh Lok Sabha constituencies this afternoon. BJD supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is also scheduled to hold a roadshow at Bhubaneswar this evening. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is on a one-day visit to Odisha and is scheduled to address a huge public meeting at Phulbani under Kandhamal parliamentary constituency this afternoon.

Meanwhile, a BJP worker was killed and seven others were injured in a clash between supporters of the ruling BJD and opposition BJP in Odisha’s Ganjam district. The incident took place in Sri Krushna Saranapur village under Aska parliamentary constituency last night over putting up posters for poll campaigning. The injured persons are undergoing treatment at the state-run hospital. The police have arrested eight persons allegedly involved in the incident.

In another incident in Ganjam district, one person was seriously injured in a firing due to political rivalry between two groups of people. The Election Commission has directed Ganjam collector to take necessary steps to stop violence in the district.