Sambalpur, May 14: Chairperson of the Sambalpur Municipality Reena Trivedi, who had been under fire from a majority of councillors, lost in the no-trust vote, the results of which was announced today.

“She lost the motion. While 19 councillors voted in favour of the motion, only three cast their votes against it. One vote was rejected,” said additional district magistrate Madhab Chandra Bariha, who conducted the counting of votes.

Reena, who belongs to the BJP, had been elected as the chairperson as her party had a strength of 15 councillors in the 30-member council and was also supported by an Independent councillor.

However, later the situation turned hostile for Reena as seven BJP councillors turned dissident and joined hands with 12 from the Congress.

“The result was known to everybody. I will now work for my ward,” said Reena.

Vice-chairman of the municipality Siddartha Saha would remain in-charge till election of a new chairperson, the additional district magistrate said.

“The chairperson has lost the confidence. We will now work for the city’s development,” said Saha.

Voting was held on the no-confidence motion moved by 19 councillors on May 7. However, the counting of votes could not be conducted as Reena had moved Orissa High Court.

However, on May 11, the high court rejected her petition and directed the administration to conduct counting of votes today.

Nineteen councillors in the 29-member council had moved the no-confidence motion against the chairperson. Reena, herself, had abstained from voting.