Will review BJD's panchayat poll performance: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of a setback in the Odisha panchayat elections, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday said the performance of the ruling BJD will be reviewed diligently and correctives applied in both the party and government.

"Though they (people) are generally happy with our performance, they want us to do some course correction. They have given us a golden opportunity for serious introspection and want us to perform and deliver even better," the Chief Minister said.

He said the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) did well in most districts, with less-than-expected performance in some.

"We shall work harder, get more re-connected with the people to fulfil their expectations. I am confident that the Biju Janata Dal will return to office in 2019 with a thumping majority by virtue of our good work," he said.

The Chief Minister congratulated all newly-elected members of the Panchayati Raj Institutions and urged them to work hard for public welfare, in improving governance processes and strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions.

The BJD has emerged victorious in 473 of the 846 Zila Parishad zones, the results of which were declared by the state Election Commission on Sunday.

The BJD ceded about 178 seats in panchayat elections compared with 2012 polls. The BJD had won 651 of the 853 seats last time.

On the other hand, the BJP won 297 seats compared with just 36 seats in 2012. The Congress, which won 128 zones last time, has been relegated to the third spot with only 60 seats.