Bhubaneswar: Infighting in Biju Janata Dal (BJD) that surfaced after the regional party’s drubbing in the last elections in Odisha appears to be taking an alarming shape now. From Ganjam to Bhubaneswar, internal strife in the party is coming to the fore almost everywhere, heating up the political atmosphere in the state.
Veteran leader Amar Satpathy, who had raised questions over BJD’s electoral debacle, has made serious predictions for the party. Stating that BJD is set to witness many developments, he claimed that several leaders are getting ready to quit the party. Recent statements of Amar Satpathy have triggered a war of words among leaders of the regional party. BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty had stated that Amar is free to quit the party. To this, the former Minister said that he is no longer in BJD.
Now, the veteran leader has come out with some predictions.
BJD To Encounter Many Happenings!
Amar Satpathy has stated that many things are going to happen in BJD in coming days. Stating that BJD leaders are making immature and distasteful remarks, he said he feels sorry for such leaders who are ignorant of the reality. “I pity the leaders who are making immature statements. They are not answering my fundamental question. Those who are not aware of the party’s origin and history are making ridiculous statements,” he said. Stating that no one is answering as to why the party lost the elections and who is responsible for the disturbance in the organisation, he said the BJD president is yet to open his mouth on the issue. However, those who are speaking for him are causing considerable damage to the party amid serious resentment among leaders. Satpathy said leaders who understand the reality are now speaking after he opened his mouth. While two Rajya Sabha members have quit the party, many others are in the line, he said, asking the BJD president to state as to who is responsible for such a pathetic situation in the party.
‘Amar’ Episode In BJD
Amar Satpathy has been expressing resentment ever since he was denied BJD ticket for Barchana Assembly seat in the last elections. He was not seen during electioneering. Subsequently, he asked Naveen Patnaik to accept the responsibility for BJD’s debacle in the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. After Lenin Mohanty asked him to quit the party, Amar Satpathy hit back and stated that he is no longer in BJD as he has not renewed his membership during the recent drive. Former MP Prasanna Patsani, who has joined BJP after quitting BJD, backed Amar’s views and lashed out at V K Pandian. Rajya Sabha member Debashish Samantaray said that Pandian was never considered the party leader.
Visible Cracks In BJD
Infighting in BJD is witnessed in many places now. After Amar Satpathy targeted the party supremo, former Kabisuryanagar MLA Latika Pradhan openly hit out at Aska Lok Sabha candidate Ranjita Sahu holding her responsible for BJD’s defeat in Ganjam. Similarly, intense tussle in the party unit in Bhubaneswar also reached the police station. Infighting has also come to the fore in Barabati-Cuttack. Absence of Cuttack Mayor Subash Singh and his supporters during Naveen Patnaik’s birthday celebrations also exposed growing fissures in BJD. Those who were afraid of uttering a word are now openly spewing venom at others.
Though Debashish Samantray claimed that departure of any leader will not have any impact on BJD, observers state that reality is something different. Remarks made by a founder member of the party and resentment expressed by others amply show that all is not well in the regional party. Restraining leaders from making controversial statements and keeping the party united has become a major challenge for Naveen Patnaik. He needs to hold open discussions with party leaders over growing resentment and address intense infighting in the organisation.