Bhubaneswar: Former BJD MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal, who recently joined the ruling BJP, on Tuesday compared Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik to the mythological character Dhritarashtra from the Mahabharata, accusing him of turning a blind eye to the “destruction” of his own party.
Biswal’s remarks came in response to media inquiries after Naveen labeled him a “gaddar” (traitor) during an address to Choudwar Municipality councilors. ““He (Pravat Biswal) has committed treachery. Even though he went to jail, | still gave his son the MLA ticket twice,” the BJD supremo said, referring to Biswal’s past association with the party.
Addressing reporters, the former MLA drew direct parallels between the current turmoil within the BJD and the tragic downfall of the epic Kuru dynasty, criticising party leadership for ignoring warnings of internal conspiracies. “It is astonishing that the ‘Pandavas’ are being
branded as betrayers. Even Lord Krishna went to reason with Dhritarashtra, but Dhritarashtra refused to listen. Had he heeded that counsel, the Kuru dynasty would not have been destroyed,” he said.
Asserting that truth and righteousness will ultimately prevail, Biswal added, “I speak the truth, and I stand firmly with Dharma. The recent election results have already proven this; there is nothing left to debate.”
Vehemently denying accusations of disloyalty from BJD circles, Biswal highlighted his decades of commitment and electoral sacrifices for the regional party: “Pravat is not a traitor or a backstabber who would ever do such a thing. Even after being denied a ticket in 2000 and 2004. I have never compromised on my principles, even in the face of immense atrocities,” he asserted.
Biswal claimed he was subjected to continuous harassment and targeting by a select coterie within the BJD, whom he blamed for orchestrating political conspiracies against him, including legal cases. “A few conspirators managed to have me jailed, but Naveen doesn’t understand anything. My supporters and well-wishers have never wavered, and with the Lord’s blessings, their attempts to break me failed,” he continued, highlighting his spiritual strength.
The veteran politician, who was expelled from the BJD for opposing the selection of a party candidate for Rajya Sabha elections in March this year, joined the ruling BJP along with a large number of supporters here in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and state BJP president Manmohan Samal on Sunday.