Rift Surfaces In Koraput BJD During ZP Vice-President Election

Koraput: Hours after the by-election to the Zilla Parishad Vice-President post, fissures in the Koraput unit of ruling-Biju Janata Dal (BJD) have surfaced. Defying party high command's orders, a woman member of the ZP went on to contest the election against the candidate selected by party leadership.

As per reports, the party had named one Narsalu Kamidi as its candidate for the post of ZP Vice-Chairperson. However, defying the party's tradition, another member of the BJD Parbati Masti filed her nomination and contested against Kamidi for the post.

From a total of 29 ZP members in Koraput, the number came down to 28 few months ago following the death of a member. The tally again reduced to 27 after former ZP president Prabhu Jani won the MLA elections in Laxmipur. The by-election was held today with 24 members as three others were absent.

The result however went in favour of Kamidi who got 16 votes against 8 votes by Parbati.

No sooner than the results were declared, party district president Ishwar Chandra Panigrahi suspended Parbati Masti from the BJD.