Dhenkanal: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wave continues to grow in Odisha with the ruling BJD sweeping the Panchayat polls. Even a former minister failed to win rural people's trust in her own constituency.

BJP leader and former minister Anjali Behera, who was contesting for Samiti member seat from Giridhar Prasad Gram Panchayat under Hindol Block in Dhenkanal district, lost the battle in the three-tier rural body elections.

She was defeated from her close rival with a margin of 826 votes.

Earlier, Anjali Behera was elected to the State Legislative Assembly for three consecutive terms from Hindol on BJD ticket in 2000, 2004 and 2009 Assembly elections. She was also the minister in Naveen's cabinet twice. She had held the portfolios like Women & Child Development and Handloom, Textiles & Handicrafts during the period 2009-2011 and 2011-12 respectively.

Later, she was sacked from the party for 'anti-party' activities.

The former BJD leader had joined the BJP last year and contested as the Samiti member candidate in the recently held Panchayat polls to connect with people.

Also Read: Former Odisha Minister Anjali Behera joins BJP