BJD leaders in capital to lobby for ZP chief

MALKANGIRI: With the BJD emerging victorious in eight of the 15 Zilla Parishad (ZP) seats, lobbying has already begun for the ZP president post. The seat is reserved for a woman candidate from the Scheduled Tribe for which there are two aspirants.While the Congress had captured six seats, the BJP managed only one this time.The lone BJP candidate, Anjali Roy, who won from Kalimela Zone-2 is likely to side with the BJD during the election for Zilla Parishad president post to be held on March 13, political observers here said.The BJD, however, seems divided over the candidature for the post of ZP president.Party heavyweight with more than 15 years experience in politics and one-time ZP vice-president Padmini Muduli from Khairput and Bibeka Nirmala Madkami from Malkangiri Zone-1 are the top contenders for the post.A majority in the party favour Muduli for the post basing on her rich political experience and leadership capability.However, all is not well within BJD if the party’s stand on the candidature for the post of ZP president is concerned. The district-level leaders are tight-lipped on the issue fearing action from the BJD supremo.Observers said Muduli has better chances as she has earlier proved her mettle as ZP vice-president. But, the decision of BJD’s second-incommand Pyarimohan Mohapatra would be final, they opined.The rank and file in the party wants to see Muduli as the ZP chief keeping in mind the Assembly election and the party leaders should understand the sentiments of the partymen, said a party leader requesting anonymity.Meanwhile, a team of party leaders left for Bhubaneswar on Friday to push for their candidates.