Bhubaneswar: As a campaign for the three-level Panchayat selection to get momentum, all eyes are on independent candidates for Zilla Parishad chairs that might play spoilsport for different party nominations.
According to official figures from the State Election Commission (SEC), as many as 298 independent candidates were in a commotion to seats 853 Zilla Parishad.
Sources say most independent candidates submit nominations after losing party tickets, especially from BJD and BJP.
A BJD senior leader, asked anonymity, said because there were several candidates for party tickets, many of which fought as rebel candidates.
“We have tried our best to manage rebel candidates and also succeed in many places.
We believe that people will choose official candidates,” said the leader.
BJD which has bagged 476 out of a total of 849 Zilla Parishad chairs where the selection was held in 2017, has set a target to win almost 800 ZP seats and to form the Zilla Parishad council in almost all districts.
“Our party always works for people and Odisha interest.
We have seen the enthusiasm of people on the ground to choose BJD candidates.
People will choose our candidates,” said BJD Secretary General Bijay Nayak.
BJP leader Golak Mohapatra said he had chosen candidates by bringing the views of all parts of the party.
Therefore, the party does not have rebel candidates, he said.