Reiterating that the voters’ mandate in the three-tier panchayat elections reflects peoples’ ‘trust’ on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ‘no-trust’ on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmedra Pradhan on Monday said the BJD has been reduced to 56 per cent Zilla Parishad seats from 77 per cent in 2012.
“Naveen Patnaik seems to be happy with the BJD getting 56 per cent seats when the ruling party had secured 77 per cent seats in the 2012 elections. He is trying to cover up his party’s debacle as the party has lost 178 ZP seats this time,” the BJP leader said in the Twitter to slam Patnaik hours after the latter claimed that the BJD is still the number one party in the State.
Pradhan pointed out that the BJP has grabbed 35 per cent seats this time while it had only managed to get four per cent seats in the 2012 elections.
“The results inspire us to work dedicatedly for welfare and holistic development of the people of the State,” said he.
Meanwhile, BJP leader and Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu hailed the Odisha panchayat poll results saying the BJP is the principal gainer in the elections.
“It’s official now. BJP is the second largest party in Odhisa panchayat polls after emerging as principal gainer. Congress Saaf, BJD Half,” tweeted Naidu.
