Former Member of Parliament for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Kharabela Swain, announced on Monday that she would run as an Independent in the upcoming Lok Sabha 2024 elections after being denied a ticket. Following the BJP’s renomination of current MP Pratap Sarangi from the Balasore Parliamentary seat, the veteran leader made his decision.
“Kharabela Swain is not your typical individual. I quit my job in the civil service to pursue a career in politics. I have run for parliament eight times. The report from the Central Intelligence Agency has confirmed that I will conquer both Balasore and Kandhamal. But they rejected my candidature,” the former lawmaker stated.
“I have made the decision to run as an independent and prove my mettle,” Swain continued.
It’s interesting to note that Swain is sure he will prevail as an independent candidate and then, following his huge victory, join the BJP. Swain declared he would not leave the Saffron party even though he did not receive a ticket from the BJP.
Notably, on February 2, 2010, Swain founded the new political party Utkal Bharat.
