Bhubaneswar: After Jugansu Sekhar Panda and Kalu Khandayatray, actor-turned-politician Akhil Patnaik has blasted BJP leader Aparajita Sarangi, who is seeking re-election from Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat, and accused her of being ‘Michua Rani (Queen of Lies)’
All of them were aspirants for MLA tickets in Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency.
Addressing a gathering, Akhil asked how the MP can alone decide the fate of ticket aspirants under the LS seat. “The person whom I protected as a mother has betrayed our trust. Her claims of promoting youths have fallen flat. Five persons were assigned to prepare the grounds in five of the seven assembly seats for the upcoming but defectors from rival parties were instead given tickets,” he alleged.
He also spoke about denial of ticket to Kalu Khandayatray, who had earlier accused Aparajita of having sold the Khurda ticket for Rs 2 crore, and sought votes for him as an independent candidate. “It was Kalu Khandayatray who had helped Lotus bloom in Khurda but his ticket was cancelled at the last moment. He have to ensure his win as an independent,” he said.
The open revolt by Khandayatray, former BJP candidate from Khurda Assembly seat, came after the party fielded Chilika MLA and former BJD leader Prashant Jagdev from the constituency.
Akhil further said that he was asked to strengthen party organisation in Patia which falls under Bhubaneswar-North seat but later the ticket was awarded to a defector. “She has destroyed my political career. Neither was I given a ticket by BJP nor can I switch sides to BJD or Congress now,” said the agitated actor.
The BJP has fielded Priyadarshi Mishra, son-in-law of former Bhubaneswar BJD MP Prasanna Patasani, from the assembly seat after he quit BJD and joined the saffron camp.
The actor then exhorted the gathering to oust Aparajita. “These women from SHG groups will ensure that she does not win the upcoming polls,” he said.
Khandayatray, who quit the BJP along with hundreds of supporters, had also said that he would ensure the defeat of Aparajita from Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat.
Meanwhile, Aparajita has refused to comment on these allegations. “I don’t think it would be right on my part to comment on these baseless allegations,” she told reporters.
