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Political parties ended their campaign today for urban local body (ULB) elections in western Odisha to be held on November 22.
On the last day of campaigning, top leaders of Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) visited key municipal areas wooing the voters to support their candidates.
The elections will be held for 10 municipalities and 12 NACs in Sambalpur, Sundergarh, Bargarh, Bolangir, Subarnapur, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi and Nuapada districts.
Both Congress and BJP had put up a dismal show in the first phase of civic polls held on 19 September, with the ruling BJD winning 47 of the 66 ULBs. The State Election Commission had to postpone polls in western Odisha due to opposition from lawyers and politicians, demanding establishment of a high court bench in the region.
However, in western Odisha both the opposition parties have a better presence. While the Congress has fielded 259 candidates, BJP has put up 269 nominees this time. Polls will be held for 306 wards. During the campaign, BJD tried to steal the show by bringing in popular cine stars. Party supremo Naveen Patnaik extensively toured the area to grab more votes and seats for BJD in the elections.
