Opposition Congress on Tuesday demanded postponement of the May 16 bypoll in Pipili Assembly seat in Odisha in the wake of the resurgence of Covid-19 pandemic across the country.

A delegation of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee led by its working vice-president Pradeep Majhi submitted a memorandum at the office of the state chief electoral officer addressed to the Election Commission.

“We are optimistic that our appeal will be heard and the polling to be postponed," Majhi told reporters.

The Congress leader said that allowing polling on May 16 is as good as putting the lives of the people in danger as health experts have warned that the Covid-19 infection will reach its peak in the second week of May.

The leaders are becoming super spreaders (of coronavirus) as they reach out to the masses. Therefore, the campaign is now restricted. What is wrong if we put polling on hold till the situation becomes normal? Majhi said.

The Congress has already lost one of its candidates — Ajit Mangaraj to Covid-19 on April 14 leading to the deferment of the polling date to May 16.

When the Covid-19 situation in Odisha has assumed alarming proportions, why is the Election Commission determined to conduct the by-poll? Are the votes so important for the Election Commission? We demand that the by-poll be postponed till the pandemic is brought under control, Majhi said at a press conference here.