Following the party's dismal performance in the recently concluded Panchayat polls in Odisha, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is hopeful of bouncing back in the upcoming Municipal elections.
Deputy leader of BJP Legislature Party Bishnu Charan Sethi on Wednesday claimed that the party will win in more than 30 Municipalities/NACs in the Urban Local Bodies polls.
"Urban areas have more educated and self-employed voters. So, the freebies of BJD won't get them much get votes in the Municipal elections,” he said.
Besides, the BJD has more disgruntled aspirants who are either contesting independently or pitted on rival party tickets, as compared to the BJP; and hence, we are hopeful of capturing 30-40 Municipalities/NACs," said Sethi.
The further said that the BJP's debacle in the rural polls can be attributed to the ruling BJD's election management, poll expenditure and the absence of senior BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan for campaigning.
Replying to a question whether BJP has an alternative to the BJD supremo in Odisha, Sethi said Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has the requisite quality and capability.
As per the schedule announced by the State Election Commission (SEC), the 106 Municipalities/NACs and 3 municipal corporations will go to the polls on March 24. The voting will be conducted from 8 am to 5 pm. Counting of votes is scheduled to be held on March 26.