Jagatsinghpur, April 7: An independent candidate has been elected as the Vice-Chairman of Paradip Municipality on Thursday.

Chhabilata Rout, who is one of the supporters of Bapi Sarkel has defeated the BJD and BJP contestants from the row of the Vice-Chairman’s race.

Sources said, as many as 8 independent Counsellors were elected in the Paradip ULB elections. However, the number reached 9 after one of the Counsellors from Congress extended support to the independent ones.

In the Vice-Chairman election conducted today, 10 counsellors including one from BJD voted for Chhabilata Rout. As a result, the BJD contestant lost the election whereas Chhabilata won the Vice-Chairman’s chair, ending all political speculations.

Similarly, BJP Counsellor, Rajendra Bisoi has won as the Vice-Chairman for Jagatsighpur Municipality today, defeating the BJD candidate as the Congress fielded no candidates for the post of Vice-Chairman, supporting the BJP candidate openly.