Number game back for Zilla Parishad chief polls

BHUBANESWAR: Even though the BJD has got a massive mandate in the Zilla Parishad polls as it has secured majority in 26 out of 30 districts, election of ZP presidents in at least three districts is all set to witness high drama as no party has the required numbers. Election to the post of ZP president is scheduled on March 13.The Congress and the BJD are evenly poised in Koraput district by winning 14 seats each while one seat has gone to an Independent. The Independent from Naxalite-affected Narayanpatna Zero Mouka has the support of the Left parties and the Chasi Muliya Sangha, said to be a front organisation of the Maoists. With a day left for the election, both the parties are keeping their cards close to the chest. For now, the two parties are not confident of getting Mouka’s support as he has put forth several demands to lend his support.  Sources in the Congress, however, hoped that Mouka will extend support to their party’s candidate for ZP president. The picture is hazy in Gajapati district as no party has a clear majority. Out of 14 ZP seats in the district, the BJD has won 7, Congress in 4 and BJP in 3 seats. But the BJD is sitting pretty as Congress and BJP do not have an OBC candidate. “Our candidate will be ZP president as the two Opposition parties do not have an OBC candidate,” Revenue Minister Surjya Narayan Patro said.The Congress has emerged as the single largest party in Kandhamal district by winning 9 out of 18 seats, one short of majority.  The BJD has won six, followed by BJP with three seats. The Congress and the BJP will have to join hands to keep the BJD at bay. Sources, however, said efforts are on to cobble together a non-Congress combination by luring away some Congress ZP members. The situation is still murky, as the parties are yet to make their moves clear.The BJD, however, has a clear majority in 26 districts where its nominees will be easily elected as ZP presidents. Jharsuguda district has gone to the Congress with the party winning 8 out of the 9 seats, while the BJD has won one seat.