By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, October 12, 2020: The BJD and BJP have declared their candidates for the forthcoming by-elections to Balasore Sadar and Tirtol Assembly seats to be held on November 3, while Congress is yet to name their candidates for the battle of ballots.

The ruling BJD has picked up Bijay Sankar Das, son of former BJD MLA and minister Bishnu Das, for Tirtol, while BJP has fielded Rajkishore Behera as its candidate for this assembly seat.

Similarly, the BJD has chosen Swarup Kumar Das as candidate for Balasore Sadar while BJP has selected Manas Dutta, son of deceased BJP MLA Madan Mohan Dutta for Balasore Sadar seat.

Both the BJP and BJD are banking upon sympathy wave to retain their respective seats at Balasore and Tirtol.

Congress is yet to announce their candidates. However, Party MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati gave a hint to announce their candidates by today.

The by-polls to both the seats have been necessitated by the demise of sitting BJP MLA Madan Mohan Dutta (Balasore) and sitting BJD legislator Bishnu Das (Tritol).