Cuttack: In a fresh remark on the political row over recent Rajya Sabha polls in Odisha, expelled Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Pravat Ranjan Biswal on Saturday claimed that allegations made by him earlier against the party leadership have now been proved.
Noting that BJD president Naveen Patnaik has effectively acknowledged the formation of a trust outside Odisha, Biswal said he had raised the same issue in the past.
However, when he raised questions over the issue in the presence of around 40 MLAs in the past, it was denied at the time, he alleged, adding that the fact has now come to light with the BJD chief’s acknowledgement.
Biswal further claimed that ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections, he was insulted in front of all the MLAs at Naveen Patnaik’s residence. He was responding to questions whether his MLA son Souvic Biswal has taken revenge for the insult in Rajya Sabha polls.
Biswal further that despite making announcement about moving away from active politics, V K Pandian continues to wield significant influence over party affairs.
Mounting a scathing attack on the regional party’s leadership, he said that earlier, Pyari Mohan Mohapatra handled key decisions while Naveen Patnaik only signed documents, and later, someone else took over the same role.
On horse-trading issue in the Rajya Sabha elections, Biswal said his son did not take money for voting. He asserted that his political future and that of his son will be decided by the voters of Choudwar-Cuttack.
It is worth noting that some BJD MLAs had reportedly cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections.
