After High Drama, BJD Issues Whip Restraining Bhubaneswar Leaders From Giving Media Bytes

Bhubaneswar: After its rout in the recent elections in Odisha, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) appears to have become a divided house amid high drama in its Bhubaneswar unit. BJD corporators in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) seem to have split into two groups after the regional party was defeated by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in both Assembly and Lok Sabha polls.

Amid intense infighting, some leaders are making explosive statements, while others are forming different group to counter them. With rift in the party gradually widening, BJD has now issued a whip asking leaders to refrain from making any media statement without permission.

High drama was witnessed in the last few days in Bhubaneswar adding fuel to speculations of intensifying rift in the Naveen Patnaik-led regional party. BJD corporator Amaresh Jena went to the extent of claiming that there is a ‘Vibhishana’ within the party who is trying to disintegrate the organisation. Following his claim, a group of 24 BJD corporators assembled at a star hotel in the capital city and also addressed a press meet. They accused two corporators Amaresh and Biranchi Narayan Mahasupkar of are trying to divide the party. Mahasupkar, on the other hand, alleged that an MLA and a former legislator are trying to create groupism among BJD corporators.

As the situation in the party appeared to have assumed an alarming shape, BJD on Thursday issued a whip to rein in its leaders and corporators and stop them from making controversial statements. MLA and president of BJD’s Bhubaneswar organisational district, Susant Kumar Rout issued an order asking all corporators of BMC and organisational office bearers to of the party to refrain from giving statement to the media without prior instruction from the party.

Meanwhile, Mahasupkar raised several questions and sought to know on whose direction the corporators addressed the media. He wanted to know whether they had obtained permission from the party president or the district president before doing so. He further alleged that a former legislator and an MLA are creating disturbance within the party. These two leaders should refrain from indulging in activities that may harm the party, he said, adding that he respects the party and would abide by the direction of the leadership.

Amid the high drama and different claims being made by party leaders, Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das asserted that all the 57 BJD corporators are united and working together.