India, April 2 -- In a political shift, Sangeeta Pingua was removed as chairperson of Byasanagar Municipality in Jajpur district on Wednesday following a no-confidence vote orchestrated by her own party, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

Sangeeta faced 20 votes against her, demonstrating a significant faction within the BJD. Furthermore, at least six councilors were notably absent from the vote, highlighting internal discord.

Before the vote, Sangeeta openly criticised her party's leadership, accusing them of reducing functionaries to 'rubber stamps'. Her remarks were said to have been directed at prominent BJD leaders, Bobby Das (senior BJD leader Pranab Prakash Das) and his brother Bhaba Prakash Das, yet neither has publicly responded to the...