Bhubaneswar: Though Claiming 105 Zilla Parishad zones out of 188 is still a winning number for the BJD at the end of the first phase of the 3-tier Panchayat Polls, the ruling party would be less concerned about its own tally and more worried about BJP’s score.
Even though the BJD has emerged as winner in the first phase, BJP’s surge has made many to sit up and take notice.
After claiming 151 zones in the first phase of the previous election in 2012, the ruling party’s performance has left enough leeway for speculations over fading dominance of BJD and its internal affairs.
BJD supremo and CM Naveen Patnaik’ s noticeable lack of participation in the campaigning, discord within the party and mismanagement of the elections are said to be the reasons behind its sub-standard results so far.
Many observers opine that lack of disciplinary action by the party in controversial matters including the Mayor, ministers and leaders has cost the ruling party dear.
While many argue that the election is no longer a triangular fight as the Congress is fading into oblivion.
“BJP has seen some success in the first phase owing to Congress’ bad performance. There are four more phases left and the first phase is not the decider. As far as our party’s performances in some pockets are concerned, we will analyze them after the elections,” said BJD spokesperson Sashibhushan Behera.
“Let’s analyse the results after the election concludes. There have been certain aberrations based on local issues and they won’t pose any threat in the coming phases,” said BJD MP, Kalikesh Narayan Singhdeo.
“There is a sense of complacency among party workers that BJD will win, which is why proper networking has not been done. Moreover, a lot of Congress leaders have joined hands with BJP,” said minister Debi Prasad Mishra.
Also Read: Panchayat polls: BJP makes inroads into BJD bastion
BJP has been able to make inroads into BJD-dominated pockets sending warning signals to many heavyweights like minister Pushpendra Singhdeo, Jogendra Behera, Snehangini Chhuria, Debi Prasad Mishra, Sudam Marandi, Ashok Panda, deputy speaker Sanand Marandi, MLAs Mahesh Sahoo and Sanjib Sahoo.
It is learnt from reliable sources that party chief Naveen Patnaik has hold discussions with his ministers and MLAs over phone and has asked them for improved performance of the party in the coming phases.