The much-hyped election for the post of Zilla Parishad President of Nuapada district ended with Namita Pradhan being elected uncontested on Wednesday.
It had been very difficult for the BJD leadership to decide on who would be the party candidate as two of the elected members were aspirants for the post. The factionalism went to such an extent that BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik had to issue whip to chastise the members. It is learnt that the Third Floor (CM’s Office) finally decided upon the candidature of Namita Pradhan under pressure from two tribal leaders of the district.x
"We never saw the mighty leader, not even during the Pyari Mohapatra coup, buckle under such pressure. See what a small group of two to three guys can do if determined," said a party leader.
The event, however, took a different turn again when Priya Ranjan Meher, BJD ZP Member of Zone-14, also filed nomination after Namita Pradhan did. The matter later got resolved when Meher withdrew his nomination after instructions from party leaders.
Namita is the second woman President of the ZP, which is now reserved for OBC. "I am thankful to all the members for unanimous support," she said after winning. "It is an achievement for women that women have been elected in the district although the post was not deserved for them," said Pushpanjali Pande, the outgoing President.