BJD headed for landslide victory in Odisha

 
Though the ruling BJD was sweeping the polls, Finance minister Prasanna Acharya was trailing behind his Congress rival Subal Sahu in Bijepur and school and mass education minister Rabi Narayan Nanda was behind his Congress rival Tara Prasad Bahinipati.

Also trailing was BJD leader and former minister A U Singhdeo (Balangir), while former speaker and BJD leader Kishore Mohanty was defeated by Naba Das of Congress in Jharsuguda seat.

The newly floated Samata Kranti Dal was leading in one seat, while independent candidates were ahead in two assembly segments.