SAMBALPUR: With a few hours left for the fifth and final phase of polling in panchayat election, both the BJP and BJD are leaving no stone unturned to take lead and form Zilla Parishads.
After the fourth phase election on Sunday, it had become clear that the BJP is in a position to form Zilla Parishads in Kalahandi, Balangir, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Bargarh and Deogarh districts.
While the BJP will try to surpass the BJD, the ruling party will aim at retaining the numero uno position in the State. In Balangir district, the elections in Patnagarh, Belpada and Khaprakhol represented by KV Singhdeo and Tileibani 1 in Deogarh district will be keenly watched. It is believed that the outcome of elections in these places will decide if BJP will form the ZP.
In the district, BJP stronghold of Patnagarh Aseembly segment comprising Patnagarh 1, 2 and 3, Belpada 1, 2 and 3, Khaprakhol 1 and 2 will also go to poll. The Maoists are active in the pockets marked with backwardness, distressed migration and poverty.
In Sambalpur, all eyes are on Kuchinda 1 and 2 where the BJP stands a good chance as the Assembly segment is represented by BJP MLA Rabi Naik. Similarly, polling will be held in Padampur 1, 2 and 3, Jharbandh 1 and 2 and Paikmal 1, 2 and 3 in Bargarh district which has elected Pradip Purohit of BJP as MLA.
The final phase result of Tileibani 1 in Deogarh district will determine who will form the ZP. It is a piquant situation for the BJP in Tileibani 1 and 2 which will go to poll on Tuesday. The post of ZP president is reserved for OC (Woman). The defeat of the lone woman BJP contender for the post from Tileibani 1 is likely to upset the BJP’s applecart.
Aware of the situation, State Yuva BJP secretary Sanjit Mohanty who has been appointed observer in the block has been working overtime to ensure victory of BJD nominee at least in Tileibani. The prestige and popularity of Birmaharajpur BJD MLA Padmanabha Behera will once again be at stake as polls in Birmaharajpur 1 and 2 in Sonepur district is slated for Tuesday.
Likewise, it will be a last ditch opportunity for State BJP president Basanta Panda to salvage some pride as Boden 1 and 2 in Nuapada district will also go to poll in the last phase. The BJP is yet to open its account in Nuapada district despite the fact that Panda is its MLA and the district shares border with Chhattisgarh, which has a BJP Government.
In Kalahandi, where BJP is ahead in 30 out of 36-member ZP, polling is scheduled in Madanpur Rampur 1 and 2, Thuamul Rampur 1 and 2, Lanjigarh 1 and 2. This again is Maoist prone area and people are sure that the BJP will win in all the remaining six zones making it an all BJP affair.