Riding high on Naveen Patnaik’s popularity and clean image and taking advantage of the weak leadership provided by the Congress and BJP, the ruling BJD has almost swept the Western Odisha ULB polls – a repetition of its spectacular performance in the first phase of ULB polls in Odisha.

Out of the 20 ULBs in nine districts, where the polls were held, the BJD is leading in at least 15 Municipalities and NACs. The BJP has managed to win just Patnagarh NAC, which came as a face-saver for state unit President Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo. On the other hand, the Congress has won Barpali and remains at part with the BJD in Khariar.

In Sundargarh, the BJP managed to give a tough fight to the BJD, but failed to secure the majority. The BJD has already won Tarbha, Bargarh, Binika, Biramitrapur, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Junagarh, Kantabanji, Khariar Road, Kunchinda, Padampur,  Brajarajnagar, Rajgangpur and Sonepur. The party is ahead in Sundargarh and Bhawanipatna.

In Khariar, the BJD and Congress have won six seats each, while one seat was won by the Independent candidate, who will hold the key. In Kesinga (12), the Congress has won 5 seats, while the BJP has won 4 seats. The BJD managed to win three wards. The BJP and BJD may join hands here to capture the NAC.