On Saturday, 74 candidates, including Independents, filed their nomination papers for the ensuing municipality elections for the 13 wards of the Phulbani Municipality.
This time, the elections are expected to be quite tough for the candidates. As many aspirants did not get tickets from their respective parties, they have filed their nominations as Independent candidates. The contests in the Wards 3, 7, 8 and 13 are likely to be very tough for the BJD. Independent candidate are expected to play a lead role in the elections as well as in the formation of the Municipal Council.