Odisha: Factional Fight In BJD Surfaces In Puri As Supporters Of Ex-Minister & Youth Leader Lock Horns

Puri: After two factions of Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) locked horns in Ganjam, similar infighting in the regional party came to the fore in Puri. The factional fight came to light when two groups of the ruling party’s Puri district unit reportedly confronted each other.

According to sources, a meeting of the ward No. 21 in the pilgrim town was held under the leadership of state vice president of the BJD’s youth wing Subhashish Khuntia on Thursday evening.

However, the programme was marred by unpleasant developments as some supporters of district BJD president and former Minister Maheswar Mohanty created a ruckus at the venue. They reportedly opposed participation of some party workers in the meeting.

They also reportedly objected to the meeting being convened without inviting Mohanty, a former Puri MLA.

The meeting venue virtually turned into a battlefield as both the groups engaged in heated arguments and allegedly threw chairs at each other.

After being informed, a police team reached the venue and pacified the members of both the factions. Senior BJD leaders were not immediately available for comment.

It may be noted here that BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Friday expelled Bipin Chandra Pradhan, a Zilla Parisad (ZP) member of Digapahandi in Ganjam district for anti-party activities.

The move came a day after two factions of the ruling party allegedly locked horns and their supporters attempted to barge into the block office following the cancellation of byelection to Digapahandi block chairman post. The voting was cancelled at the last minute after the State Election Commission (SEC) deferred the byelection following a letter from the Ganjam collector, apprehending law and order situation.