The ruling Biju Janata Dal has completely swept elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions by taking healthy lead in 764 out of 852 zilla parishad (ZP) seats, which accounts for close to 90% seats, a rare feat in India’s electoral politics.
By Monday evening, of total 854 ZP seats, the BJD had either won or taken lead in 762 seats while BJP and Congress were trailing with 46 and 36 seats respectively.
As far as victory is concerned, of 620 seats, results of which were declared, the regional party had already won 551 seats leaving 31 and 30 for BJP and Congress respectively.
Such was the decimation that BJP, the principal opposition party, was not in situation to open its account in 10 out of 30 districts. Condition of Congress was even worse. Congress candidates had neither won nor taken lead in 18 out of 30 districts. There were four such districts where BJD was set to win 100% seats.
BJP has even failed to save its traditional bastion such as western Odisha district and Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh district.
In 2017 rural polls, the BJD candidates had won 476 out of 846 Zilla Parishad seats, the BJP came second with 297 seats and Congress had 60 seats. The BJP was no way near to its 2017 performance.
The State Election Commissioner had made arrangements for elections to 1,06,353 panchayati raj institution (PRI) posts. As many as 91,913 boots were set up for 2.79 crore voters. However, 36,523 ward members, 126 Sarpanchs, 326 panchayat samiti members and one ZP member got elected without contest. Only ZP election was held with party symbol.
The SEC had conducted elections in five phases between February 16 and 24. Counting of votes polled in ballot papers was taken up from February 26 and 28.
The BJD will approach elections to urban local bodies with the emphatic win. Candidates started filing nominations for urban polls from Monday. Election for urban local bodies will be held on March 24.
