BIJEPUR: Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday criticised chief minister Naveen Patnaik over BJD 's decision to field Rita Sahu as its candidate for Saturday's bypoll to Bijepur.Responding to Naveen's remark on Tuesday that Rita wanted to serve the people of Bijepur for what remained of the term of her husband - the deceased Subal Sahu - Dharmendra said, "Is Rita's candidature only for this time? Will she not get a chance to contest for a full term in 2019? The chief minister should specify who will be BJD's candidate in 2019? Will it be labour minister Susanta Singh?"Campaigning for BJP candidate Ashok Panigrahi, the Union minister further said, "Naveen's newfound love for Bijepur is nothing but a poll gimmick." Criticizing him for saying he would personally monitor the development of Bijepur, Dharmendra said, "Naveen should explain why he has not done so for the last 18 years."Dharmendra also spoke against chief electoral officer Surendra Kumar and accused him of working at the behest of the state government. "The BJD pressurised a DSP-level officer to link BJP with an incident in which chappals were hurled at the chief minister by a youth. The police are working overtime to ensure the victory of BJD. Without investigation, the police said the cash seized recently was meant for the byelection," he said.Responding to Dharmendra's comment on Rita's candidature, BJD leader Prasanna Acharya said the Union minister was good at twisting statements. "Not once did the chief minister say Rita is the candidate only for this election." Regarding the allegation against the CEO and the police, he said, "The Union minister should not forget that police also raided the house of a minister (labour minister Singh)."

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