The BJD’s Jayant Kumar Sarangi was elected uncontested the chairman of the Puri Municipality on Monday. Independent councillor Gourahari Pradhan, who had filed nomination papers for contest, later withdrew from the race.
Of the 32 seats in the civic body, the BJD has won in 22.
BJD supporters staged a victory rally. Since 1985, this council, once considered as a Congress bastion, has been going to non-Congress parties, latest the BJD.
In the Konark NAC, the BJD wrested power from the Congress with Bhanumati Routray of the BJD becoming its chairperson. In the Nimapara NAC, Sanatan Pradhan of the BJD became the chairman.
However, the Congress snatched the Pipili NAC from the BJD with the party nominee Runu Behera being elected as the chairperson.