Bhubaneswar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday claimed that the process of disintegration of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has already started and at least 80 per cent of its leadership are mentally ready to quit the ruling party in Odisha.
Claiming that many leaders in the ruling party are disenchanted, BJP state general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said most of them who want to end the ‘Ravan Raj’ in Odisha are in touch with the saffron party.
Drawing a comparison between BJD government in Odisha with ‘Ravan Raj’, Harichandan claimed that disgruntled leaders of the regional party will play the role of Vibhishan.
These leaders want to leave BJD as they are disillusioned with rampant corruption, autocratic way of functioning and misrule, he claimed.
“While only one Vibhishan was required to end Ravana’s empire, there are hundreds of Vibhshans waiting to come out as they are fed up with BJD,” the senior BJP leader claimed.
Stating that these BJP leaders will choose the path of ‘Dharma’, Harichandan said the same will reflect in the coming elections.
Asked whether BJP will induct these leaders if they quit BJD, he said it will be decided whenever such situation arises. Stating that BJP will not rely on these leaders, Harichandan said the saffron party has its own organisation and is prepared to take on the ruling BJD.
Countering BJP’s claim, senior BJD leader and Energy Minister P K Deb said some BJP people are also in touch with the ruling party. “Some of our MLAs are in touch with BJP, and some MLAs of BJP are in contact with us. This is a natural phenomenon normally seen when election approaches,” he said.