JAGATSINGHPUR: THE BJD has emerged victorious in four Zilla Parishad zones in Erasama block after the first phase panchayat poll on Monday. The block had witnessed a triangular contest among BJD, BJP and Congress.
Of the 25 panchayats, election of Sarpanch post was held in 2 panchayats except Dhinkia panchayat. Election for Panchayat Samiti members was held in all 25 panchayats.
Sources said as far as Sarpanch posts are concerned, the BJD sponsored candidates have been elected in 17 panchayats, while Congress candidates won four seats and three seats went to Independents. Similarly, the BJD candidates bagged 18 Panchayat Samiti member seats, the Congress candidates won in three seats and four seats went in favour of Independent candidates.
The BJP could not open its account despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the IOCL refinery project and marathon campaigning by senior party leaders like Union Minister of State for Rural Development Ram Kirpal Yadav, K V Singhdeo and Jharkhand BJP leaders in different panchayats of Erasama block.
In the second phase, election will be held in Balikuda block. Heavy security arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of poll. Polling will be conducted in 30 panchayats to elect 16 Zilla Parishad candidates from four zones, 83 Panchayat Samiti members, 89 Sarpanches and 963 Ward members. More than one lakh voters would exercise their franchise.
In the last panchayat election in 2012, the BJD and the Congress had captured two ZP seats each.