Bhubaneswar: With BJP all set to return to power in Chhattisgarh, its lone Odia candidate, Purandar Mishra is marching towards victory.
Purandar, a well-known social worker, had contested as BJP candidate from Raipur North Assembly constituency in Chhattisgarh election.
As per the results and trends announced till 6 pm, he had already polled 52,845 votes by the end of 14th round of counting out of total 15 rounds. He was leading by 22,272 from his nearest rival of Congress Kuldip Singh Juneja.
While Juneja could muster 30,573 votes, Independent candidate Ajit Kukreja bagged 21,571 votes in the prestigious constituency. Total 14 candidates were in the fray this time.
Out of the total 90 Assembly seats in the state, the BJP was leading in 55 and the Congress in 35, as per the evening bulletin.
Purandar, who is the founder chairman of Lord Jagannath Temple at Raipur, is the only Odia candidate from any national party to contest in Chhattisgarh Assembly poll. Gayatri Nagar, where Mishra has founded the largest Jagannath Temple of Chhattisgarh, comes under his constituency.
Recently, Mishra was unanimously elected as president of Greater Odia Samaj in Chhattisgarh. The Samaj has been formed with representatives of 24 associations representing 35 lakh Odias living in the state. At present, Mishra also holds the post of chief patron of Chhattisgarh branch of World Odisha Society.
