Bhubaneswar: Rajshree Nayak, BJD chairperson of Sadar block in Dhenkanal district, was removed from her position through a no-confidence motion on Friday.
The motion, which required 42 votes to pass, received the support with 44 members, while only 17 backed Nayak. One vote was invalidated due to double marking, according to returning officer and tehsildar, Litusmita Mishra.
The voting process, conducted under the Orissa Panchayat Samiti Act, 1959, saw participation from 62 members, including food supplies minister Krushna Chandra Patra, Dhenkanal MP Rudra Narayan Pany and Kamakhyanagar MLA Satrughna Jena.
The no-confidence motion was initiated last week when panchayat samiti members approached the sub-collector with allegations of corruption against Nayak, accusing her of accepting bribes and demanding commission payments.
Following the verdict, minister Patra told reporters, “BJD is crumbling under poor leadership. The exodus of leaders and supporters indicates the party’s imminent collapse.”
However, former MLA Sudhir Kumar Samal of BJD contested these claims, suggesting power politics at play. “We accept the result, as wins and losses are part of such motions,” he said, while expressing concern over members travelling in the minister’s vehicle.
Vice-chairman Kalandi Barik will serve as interim chairperson until BJP selects its new candidate for the position.