The Biju Janata Dal headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has swept the elections held in eight civic bodies in different regions of the State. The polling in the eight urban local bodies was conducted on Tuesday.
The ruling party won absolute majority in Paradip, Sunabeda and Belpahar municipalities and the notified area councils of Balimela, Dharmagarh, Tushara, Daspalla and Rairakhol notified area councils.
PTI adds:
Opposition Congress and BJP secured 11 and 12 wards respectively out of total 129 wards spread over the eight urban local bodies.
The BJD candidates won in 103 wards while Independents bagged three.
While the Congress candidates failed to open account in three urban bodies like Daspalla, Tusara and Rairakhole, no BJP candidate won in Dharmagarh notified area council, sources said.
“I express my gratitude to the people in eight ULBs and thank the BJD workers and leaders for the victory,” said BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
OPCC president Prasad Harichandan thanked the voters in all the eight civic bodies and accepted defeat. “We are identifying the weakness in the party,” he said, adding that the party targets the next panchayat polls in 2017.
BJP state president K. V. Singhdeo, however, blamed the party’s failure on the money power of BJD behind its victory.
“I have never seen any party using choppers during campaigning in urban polls. The BJD has done this,” Mr. Singhdeo said.
After declaration of the election results, the BJD workers were seen distributing sweets and smearing colour on each other besides congratulating the winning candidates.
