Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Aug 22: Lilita Das of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday was elected unopposed as the president of the Kendrapada Zilla Parishad in Odisha. The election was uncontested as no other candidate competed for the position in the 32-member Zilla Parishad.
Additionally, by-elections were held for block chairpersons in Raighar, Bhapur, and Khallikot. Sabitri Pradhan of the BJD was re-elected as the Bhapur panchayat samiti chairperson without opposition. Similarly, Kanhu Charan Nath of the BJP was elected vice chairman of Harabhanga unopposed.
Elections in Narla, Kukudahandi, and Kanisuryanagar have been postponed due to a court order.
In Kendrapada, the BJD dominated, securing representation in 31 out of the 32 Zilla Parishad zones. The BJP holds only one Zilla Parishad seat, with two members having resigned.
To ensure party unity and prevent dissent, BJD president Naveen Patnaik convened a meeting with all Zilla Parishad members. The position of Zilla Parishad president is reserved for a woman from the SC category, and with the BJP unable to field a suitable candidate, Lilita Das was elected uncontested.
