Sambalpur: After the third phase of panchayat polls, the ruling BJD needs to bag the remaining six Zilla Parishad (ZP) seats to retain the chairman’s post in the district.
Considering the fight from the BJP in last three phases, the ruling party would find it difficult to regain its lost ground, analysts said.
Of 18 ZP seats, elections have been held for 12 seats with the BJD and the BJP winning four and eight seats respectively. While the saffron party won eight seats, BJD won in four with the Congress yet to open its account. The battle between the two top parties is getting intense.
The BJP needs only two seats to grab the ZP chairperson post while the ruling party has got to win all six seats to retain the chairman’s post. BJP workers were in jubilant mood as the remaining zones are considered a stronghold of the party, it was learnt.
The ruling party would have to put in best efforts to win the remaining seats. The party would be in trouble during forthcoming municipal and assembly elections if the chairman post falls in the lap of the BJP, party workers believe.
In the fourth phase, elections would be held in Rengali and Bamra blocks of the district.
A total of 62,744 voters would exercise their franchise in 190 polling stations of Rengali block. The block, comprised 16 panchayats and 190 wards. It has 82 sensitive and 11 hyper sensitive booths. Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements have been made and CCTVs installed to ensure free and fair polls, police said.
Similarly, 69,024 people would cast their votes in Bamra block having 216 wards under 17 panchayats. The block has 25 sensitive, 19 hyper sensitive and nine Naxal-hit booths. Adequate police forces have been deployed ahead of the polls to maintain law and order situation in the block. PNN
