Odisha votes: Chatrapur sees early morning crowds at polling booths

BHUBANESWAR: The Chatrapur assembly segment witnessed brisk early morning polling on Monday, with people queuing up at booths. It is one of the 28 assembly constituencies going to the polls in the first phase.
Expecting a surge in temperature during the daytime, people visited the polling booths in the morning. The weather was soothing, with an overcast sky, and the number of people at the booths gradually increased.The administration arranged rest shades and drinking water facilities to tackle the heatwave.
Chatrapur is the district headquarters of Ganjam district in Odisha. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik belongs to this district. The Communist Party of India (CPI) has won this seat eight times, the Indian National Congress three times, the BJD twice, and the BJP once.
Important candidates contesting the election from this constituency include sitting MLA Subash Chandra Behera from the BJD, Krushna Chandra Nayak from the BJP, Guru Nath Pradhan from the CPI, and Bhagirathi Behera from Congress.
"We are excited to exercise our franchise today. We will choose a good candidate who can help us develop our area. This is an opportunity to select a good candidate for the coming five years. We have come in large numbers to cast our votes," said Babu Swain, a voter from Lunghuri village under the Chatrapur constituency in Ganjam district.
Ajay Kumar Palai, a voter from Podagada village, said they have created awareness among voters to cast votes on Monday. "We want quality education, good healthcare, employment generation, and better rural infrastructure; that's why we will select a suitable candidate who can add value to our lives," he added.