JAGATSINGHPUR: With two days left for the outcome of panchayat elections to be announced, horse trading in Tirtol, Naugaon, Raghunathpur and Biridi blocks has come to the fore. None of the three political parties, BJD, BJP or Congress, has won a majority in the four blocks.
As per the unofficial figures, the BJD has absolute majority in Jagatsinghpur, Kujang and Erasama panchayats and is likely to form the Zilla Parishads but in the other five blocks, the party is struggling for support to form ZPs. In Raghunathpur and Biridi, the BJD could not gain a majority due to intra-party conflict and as a result, some local leaders are desperately trying to win the support of elected Panchayat Samiti members.
In Biridi block, it is a hung verdict. Out of 21 seats, the Congress has 10 in its kitty, BJD has nine and neither of them is in a position to form the ZP. Out of nine seats of BJD, four candidates are supporters of local MLA Rajshree Mallick, while five others are supporters of MP Bishnu Das.
With both of them being arch rivals, the Congress is making all out efforts to take advantage of the feud and form the ZP. In Raghunathpur, out of 19 panchayats, the BJD has captured 11 but it is likely to find it difficult to form the ZP because of intra-party conflict.
Panchayat Samiti chairman Rajat Patra, who is also an arch rival of Mallick, faced defeat in Bidyadhar GP while his wife has been elected from Eradanga panchayat and is likely to lobby for the chairman's post. Horse trading has started here to reach the magic number. Out of 29 panchayats, the BJD has captured 14 seats but has not touched the magic number of 15 to form the Panchayat Samiti.
On the other hand, the Congress, which has captured 11 seats, has started its effort to from the new Panchayat Samiti with the help of four Independents.
In Naugaon block, out of 16 panchayats, the BJD has won eight and Congress six. Both the parties are trying to get support of Independent candidates to form the panchayat.