PARLAKHEMUNDI: The BJD wrested the Zilla Parishad president seat from Congress after 15 years. BJD candidate P Lata defeated Premika Mandal of Congress by two votes.
Of the 14 votes, BJD secured eight. The BJP had filed nomination for the post which was later withdrawn.
Since the ZP system was introduced in Gajapati, Congress had retained the seat till today.
First Tribal Woman to Head ZP
Jeypore: Malati Majhi, the BJD candidate from Borrigumma zone, was elected president of the 29-member Koraput ZP.
Malati won by a vote with the Independent candidate from Narayanpatna, Zero Mouka, supporting her candidature. Both the BJD and Congress were tied at 14 seats each. This is for the first time that a tribal woman was elected to head the ZP.