BJD wins civic polls in Odisha

Odisha Channel Bureau Balangir, July 2: Biju Janata Dal headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik won the civic polls in two towns – Balangir and Titilagarh – in western Odisha on Wednesday.The ruling party secured majority in both urban bodies in Balangir district despite the fact that the administration had come under criticism following a custodial death last week.An angry mob had torched the Titilagarh police station and SDPO’s office and set more than 20 vehicles on fire on Saturday after a local youth died in police custody.They had alleged that Basanta Pradhan, a 32-year-old youth belonging to Titilagarh, was tortured by the police while he was in their custody.The BJD managed to win in as many as many 14 of the 15 wards in under the Titilagarh Notified Area Council (NAC).The Congress won in the remaining one.In Balangir Municipality too, the BJD performed well by bagging 14 out of the total 21 wards.Congress won four seats, while BJP won one and Independent one.Polling was conducted in both the urban local bodies on Tuesday.