Lok Sabha elections: Congress' Sucharita Mohanty returns ticket due to lack of funding

Congresscandidate for the Puri Lok Sabha seat in Odisha Sucharita Mohanty, has returned her ticket citing lack of funds from the party.

Mohanty on Friday (May 3) said that even after efforts including a public donation drive and minimised spending, she struggled financially and could not continue a campaign.

In an email addressed to AICC General SecretaryKC Venugopal, shewrote, “Our campaign in Puri Parliamentary Constituency has been hit hard because the Party has denied me funding. AICC Odisha in-charge Dr Ajoy Kumar Ji asked me to fend for myself.”

"I was denied funds from the party. BJP and BJD are sitting on a mountain of money and it was difficult to manage. A display of wealth is everywhere and I don't want to compete that way," Mohanty said.

"I wanted a people-oriented campaign, but that was also not possible with the lack of funds. The party is also not responsible. The BJP government has crippled the party. There are a lot of curbs on expenditure. I got responses. They want change,” she added.

Sucharita was asking for donations to campaign and contest for the Lok Sabha polls. This was the first time a Congress candidate sought donations using a QR code.

The voting for the Puri Lok Sabha seat and seven assembly segments under it will take place on May 25. The deadline for filing of the nomination is May 6.

Now Congress is in a fix as only two days are left for filing of nominations for the Puri LS seat.

(With inputs from agencies)