Bhawanipatna Municipality Chairperson Loses No-Trust Motion In A Jolt To BJD In Odisha

Bhawanipatna: In a jolt to Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha, chairperson of Bhawanipatna Municipality Sanjukta Behera on Monday lost the no-confidence motion moved by the councillors.

As per information, all the ocuncillors had moved the no-confidence motion against BJD’s chairperson accusing her of having failed to discharge her duty properly in accordance with the municipal rules.

Opposing her working style, they had alleged that the chairperson was functioning in an arbitrary manner. A total of 20 votes were polled in favour of the motion and Sanjukta faced defeat in the no-trust voting, sources said.

Observers were of the view that the development is a sign of growing infighting in the Naveen Patnaik-led regional party.

After the no-trust motion was moved against Sanjukta, she had approached the High Court, but her plea was rejected. Subsequently, the district Collector of Kalahandi convened a special meeting and directed to take up the motion and hold the voting.

An official said that all the councillors were present and participated in the voting, which was held peacefully.

In a similar development in Puri district, the eight members of Nimapara NAC presented a notice to the district collector seeking initiation of procedures of moving a no-confidence motion against BJD’s chairperson Sasmita Sahu.