Bapi Sarkhel-Backed Independent Candidate Elected Vice-Chairperson Of Paradip Municipality

Paradip: An independent candidate, Chhabilata Rout, has been elected Deputy Chairman of Paradip Municipality, the election for which was held on Thursday.

A member of Bapi Sarkhel’s ‘Ama Paradip Ama Pragati’ outfit, Rout leaves behind Prabhati Nayak of BJD and Runubala Parida of BJP to win the election.

Meanwhile, BJD has alleged cross-voting in the municipal vice-presidential election leading to the win of Independent candidate.

The 19-member Paradip Municipality has eight independent councillors backed by Bapi Sarkhel’s “Ama Paradip Ama Pragati” outfit, seven BJD councillors, three BJP and one Congress councillor.

BJD had made Prabhati Nayak as its candidate for vice chairperson, who bagged six votes while Rout bagged 10 votes in her favour making her win the election. But, what raised suspicion of cross voting is Nayak bagging 6 votes instead of 7 (the number of BJD councillors in the municipality).

It is learned that the BJD had not appointed an agent before the by-elections. In response, Paradip MLA Sambit Rautaray said, “We do not need agents. The BJD is a disciplined party. Why pay for our agents? We have no chance of cross-voting. Wehave chairman post, let them be contended with vice-chairman post.”