In a major setback to the Congress Party, the ruling Biju Janata Dal, captured the Kesinga NAC even though it had won just three out of twelve wards in the ULB polls. The BJD won the NAC with the support of four BJP members. Gitanjali Bariha was elected the Chairperson in Kesinga.

The Congress, which had emerged as the single-largest party by winning five wards, had no other option but to accept defeat, as the BJD and BJP joined hands in the NAC.

The BJD has captured 17 out of 20 ULBs in Western Odisha, by leaving just one each to the Congress and BJP. Independent member Khulana Behera was elected as the Chairperson of Khariar NAC with the support of the BJD. She has joined the BJD ahead of the polls.

Aditya Nanda was elected as the Chairman of the Bhawanipatna Municipality. In Padampur, former Minister Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha’s son Siddharth Singh Bariha was elected the Chairman. In total, 15 women candidates won the Chairperson’s posts in 20 ULBs in Western Odisha.