Some elected councillors headed by former mayor Ananta Narayan Jena with chief minister Naveen Patnaik at the state secretariat on Thursday evening after the civic poll results were declared. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 9: All eyes are on former mayor Ananta Narayan Jena under whose leadership the ruling Biju Janata Dal has put up a splendid performance.

The 45-year-old leader has won his seat with the highest margin in the city.

Jena, party sources indicated, enjoyed the confidence of chief minister Naveen Patnaik and was being tipped to hold the coveted post for the second time.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation council will formally elect the new mayor on January 17.

Impressed with his organising ability, Naveen had deputed the law graduate to supervise the post-Phailin relief and sanitation measures in Berhampur.

Supporters of Jena claim that not only did he lead his team to victory, but was also immensely popular.

Jena also ensured a thumping victory for himself as he got re-elected for the third term with a margin of 4,337 votes. He polled 5,024 votes, while his nearest rival Prakash Kanungo (Congress) could muster only 690 votes.

Party sources said Jena, who was an aspirant for an Assembly seat, was not keen to contest the corporation elections.

At the last minute, he was persuaded by the party leaders to accept the challenge.

However, a powerful legislator from the city, who does not get along well with Jena, would try his best to deny him the chance for donning the mayor’s hat for the second time.

At one time Jena, popularly called Bunu, was known for his proximity with Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, who was then considered as the alternative power centre in the BJD.

Soon after Mohapatra was expelled, Jena never missed an opportunity to demonstrate his loyalty to Naveen.

This time 38 women dominates the 67-member corporation and Jena might miss the mayoral bus if Naveen wants to send across the message that his party stood for woman empowerment. With the Assembly and general elections barely a few months away, he may opt for a woman as mayor.

Pritinanda Routray, daughter of health minister Damodar Rout, could become a strong contender for the coveted post. Routray, a singer, was elected from the posh Sailashree Vihar. Another woman leader, who could be in the running for the post, is the outgoing deputy mayor Bharati Singh. The tribal leader was re-elected from Salia Sahi area for the second time.