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.
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.