Ruling BJD swept 2nd phase of ULB polls
The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has scored a resounding victory in the second phase of urban local body (ULB) polls in western Odisha by winning a clear majority in 15 municipalities and notified area councils (NACs).
Opposition Congress, managed to get majority only in Barpali NAC of Bargarh district, while BJP secured majority only in Patnagarh NAC of Bolangir district, sources said, adding that three ULBs witnessed a fractured verdict.
Over 69 per cent of voters cast their votes in election to 20 urban local bodies (ULBs) in nine Western Odisha districts on Friday.
On the victory of his party, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “Especially I would like thank all the people who have voted for the Biju Janata Dal for such a huge victory in these urban elections and also like to thank the leaders and workers of the party for having worked so hard during these elections. This is a tremendous victory for our party in western Odisha.”
In Bargarh municipality (Bargarh district), BJD has won 15 wards while Congress and BJP have won two and one seats respectively.
Similarly, in Kantabanji NAC of Bolangir district, the ruling party has won 12 out of 16 wards. It captured 9 out of 11 seats in Deogarh municipality (Deogarh district).
Interestingly, there is no clear majority to any of the parties in 20-ward Rajgangpur municipality of Sundargarh district, as the ruling party won 10 wards, two went in favour of Congress, three for BJP & independent candidates claimed five seats.
In Khariar NAC of Nuapada district, both BJD and Congress won six each out of 13 wards.
In the first phase of ULB polls held on September 19 for 65 bodies, BJD won a majority in 41 places, while Congress won a majority in 10 civic bodies, and Independents managed to win in a majority of wards in two ULBs.
Billed as the semi-finals ahead of the forthcoming assembly elections, BJD is showing clear signs of returning to power in Odisha if the ULB results are anything to go by, indicating the voters’ mood in the state.
