Poll Pundits Predict Big Gains For BJD In Panchayat Polls; May Get More Than 750 ZP Seats

Bhubaneswar: The five phase Panchayat polls have ended peacefully in the state and now all the eyes are on the counting of votes which will start from tomorrow. The counting of votes will spread across three days starting from 26th to 28th and the final results are likely to come by the evening of Monday. While the candidates are resting after a hectic schedule of campaigning and are keeping the fingers crossed regarding the results, poll pundits have given a big thumbs up to the ruling Biju Janata Dal. According to election analysts and observers, the BJD is going to break its own record and is going to win more than 750 ZP seats in the state this time. The predictions are not based on assumptions but an outcome of the grassroots level study of the entire election process till date.

The Biju Janata Dal, which had got 473 seats in 2017 and 612 seats in 2012 is all set to wrest more than 750 seats this time thanks to the slew of grassroots level developmental programs and schemes of the state government along with the active election management by the ruling party. The two main opposition parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress which are going through one of their worst times in the state, are expected to get just 50 to 70 seats.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is going to loose the most number of seats this time thanks to a lackluster campaign by party cadre and a negative sentiment in the rural voters towards its leadership. Voters have rejected the BJP leadership because of its unreachability to masses and continued involvement in groupism. Particularly in the western areas of the state where the BJP had garnered a number of seats last time, there will be a significant gain for the ruling party. This is because, the public representatives of the BJP have lost the faith of the masses. To a large extent, the situation is going to be same in coastal and south Odisha too. The selection of wrong candidates is also a factor that is going to cost the party a lot. The Bharatiya Janata Party was fighting the elections without any important issue. The Congress on the other hand is also not doing any better. The party is under intense pressure from its own internal feud. Its own leaders are fighting for their own existence in the state.

The Biju Janata Dal, compared to the previous elections, has strengthened its grassroots organizational presence all over the state. Its election affairs, led by both young and experienced leaders are going to give a very good return this time. Added to this, the number of welfare schemes and developmental activities all across the state are going to help the party win the maximum number of seats.