Although ruling BJD won the election to the post of Vice-Chairman of the Baleswar Municipality too, the party men are failing to cheer about this victory as cross-voting has marred the victory spirit, and it has forced the party leaders to huddle into a brain-storming session to ponder over it.
BJD candidate Rashmirekha Deb, Councillor from Ward-25, won Tuesday’s election by bagging 17 votes when she expected 20 votes. BJD had secured 17 seats in the UlB election held last month and post-poll three independents had joined the party taking the number to 20.
While Deb got 18 votes, one was invalid. Her opponent Sabita Sahu of Congress and Councilor of Ward no 4 got 13 votes. The Congress has 6 Councilors.
During the Chairman election, BJD candidate Alok Sahu had got 27 votes against the four secured by his opponent Padmalochan lenka of the Congress. For the first time, the post of Chairman has gone in favour of BJD, after three terms.
Sources said in Tuesday’s election, at least five Councilors have resorted to cross-voting as they reportedly wanted another candidate from the party to be the Vice-Chairperson.
“During a brain-storming session it came to fore that at least five Councillors of our party have resorted to cross-voting and have joined hands with the Congress candidate. They have been identified,” said a BJD insider, on the condition of anonymity.