Odisha Elections: Bhartruhari & Sidhant ‘Big Zero’, Cannot Become Ward Members Without Naveen Patnaik, Says BJD MP

Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday lashed out at former MPs Bhartruhari Mahtab and Sidhant Mohapatra, who joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after quitting the regional outfit, dubbing them as ‘big zero’ in politics.

Coming down at the two former party leaders, BJD MP Munna Khan claimed that Bhartuhari and Sidhant have no identity of their own without Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

He further claimed that the two leaders are incapable of winning as ward members without the support of Naveen Patnaik. “They are big zero in politics. They cannot win an election for ward member post without the support of Naveen Baby,” said Khan.

Bhartruhari remained an MP for 26 years and Sidhant for ten years only because of the generous support extended by Naveen Patnaik, the BJD lawmaker said, adding that the two have no identity after leaving the ruling party.

Though the two leaders have joined BJP, the saffron party will soon come to know their worth, he said, adding that Naveen Patnaik was kind enough to send them to Parliament, but both of them have betrayed him by deserting the party.

Claiming that Sidhant never raised any issue pertaining to Odisha’s interest in Parliament, Khan said the exit of the two leaders will have no impact on BJD’s electoral performance.