Big Jolt to BJP in Ganjam: BJD Wins Bellaguntha Block Chairperson Election

Berhampur: In a big setback to the BJP in Ganjam district, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has won the Bellaguntha Block Chairperson election.

The result of the much-staked election was declared on Monday. BJD leader and Badaborasingi Samiti member Mamata Bhola won the crucial election defeating her BJP rival Gitanjali Bishoi.

A wave of happiness was seen in the BJD camp in Ganjam district following the declaration of the election results. The victory also marked the BJD’s dominance and growing popularity in Surada Assembly constituency.

Former Surada MLA Purna Chandra Swain, Bellaguntha Block BJD President S. Rameswar Patro and other senior BJD leaders extended their best wishes to the newly elected Chairperson.

It is worth nothing that the election was necessitated following the untimely demise of Bellaguntha Block Chairperson Prasant Kumar Nayak. In the 2022 Panchayat elections, the BJD registered a massive victory in the block. BJD leader Prasant Kumar Nayak was elected as the Chairperson. However, Nayak passed away in September last year. Then Vice-Chairperson Pramila Pradhan was the caretaker Chairperson. She was elected as the Vice-Chairperson of the block with the support of the BJD. But, she left the BJD and joined the BJP. Under such a scenario, a notification was issued for the by-election on January 30 and subsequently the election was held. But as per the court order, the counting of votes or the results could not be declared on that day. The ballot boxes where the votes were cast were sealed and kept in the treasury amid tight security. Seeing the delay in the declaration of the result, the BJD leaders met the district administration and demanded the declaration of the result. Finally, the result was declared by the administration today.

The entire block was eagerly waiting for the result. With this victory, the BJD has retained the Bellaguntha Block Chairperson post.