Feb 27, 2017: BJP has made a giant stride forward in Panchayat Polls in Odisha and secured second position relegating Congress into third slot.
According State Election Commission, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) emerged victorious in 473 Zilla Parshads out of 846 in which polls were held in five phases between February 13 and 21. BJP won in 297 ZPs while Congress managed to bag 60 seats in its kitty.
Despite wining the majority of the seats, worrying factor for BJD is that it has ceded around 178 seats as BJP made inroads into areas known as BJD bastions.
BJP won only in 34 seats 2012 Panchayat Polls. However, this time it increased the tally to 297 seats. “BJP has not only secured second position, it has emerged as a possible alternative to BJD Government”, said Political analysts.Call it anti-incumbency factor or positive impact of demonetization, Odisha Panchayat Poll results are bound to boost BJP leaders.
The SEC release said, Independent Candidates won in 11 seats while CPI bagged two seats. CPIM, JMM and AOP managed to win one seat each.
