Odisha Elections 2024: BJD-BJP Slugfest Over Dharmendra; Jayanarayan Calls Pranab Das ‘Sycophant’

Bhubaneswar; A war of words erupted between Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over ruling party’s organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das’ remark on Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan contesting from Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat.

In a post on his X handle, Das alleged that Dharmendra has not only lost the confidence and trust of BJP but also the faith of people in his leadership. Hitting back at Das, BJP heavyweight and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jayanarayan Mishra accused the BJD leader of crossing all limits of sycophancy.

Notably, Dharmendra and Pranab Das are crossing swords in Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat as BJP and BJD candidates respectively for the upcoming elections.

Accusing Dharmendra of dreaming to become Chief Minister for the last ten years, Das claimed that BJP never declared him as its chief ministerial candidate as he has lost his party’s trust.

BJP knows it well that the number of party MLAs would fall below ten if Dharmendra is declared as CM candidate, the BJD leader claimed.

Das further claimed that the Union Minister tried to nurture Dhenkanal Lok Sabha seat for ten years but had to drop the idea after the dismal show of BJP in the last panchayat polls. People of Sambalpur are also vigilant and will vote for the right candidate, he said.

Reacting sharply to Das’ remarks, LoP Mishra accused him of crossing all limits of sycophancy and making wild charges due to feat of defeat in the upcoming elections. The people of Sambalpur will give a fitting reply to Pranab in the coming elections, he said.

Claiming that BJD nor represents a pathetic scene, the BJP leader said the ruling party leaders are functioning as guards and engaged in traffic control.

Stating that Dharmendra is not new to Sambalpur, he said the Union Minister has close bond with the western Odisha constituency. Dharmendra was earlier elected from Deogarh, which corms part of Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat, said Mishra.