Bhubaneswar: Yet another senior leader of Biju Janata Dal ((BJD) has made an explosive statement about the state of affairs in the regional party in Odisha. Simmering discontent in the opposition party appears to be taking a serious shape. Senior BJD leader Bhupinder Singh has made an explosive statement, saying party president Naveen Patnaik is not anyone’s personal property. He belongs to the entire state. Moreover, no one has said that Naveen is not his property, he said.
Criticises BJD role as main opposition
Referring to the performance of BJD, Bhupinder said despite being the main opposition party, the regional outfit is unable to raise the right issues. As a result, Congress is taking advantage of situation and getting stronger. Certain remarks made by the former Rajya Sabha MP suggested uncertainty over his future in BJD. Without naming anyone, Bhupinder virtually targeted BJD leadership, saying that since the 2024 elections, the party’s stand in Parliament has not been clear. Bhupinder further claimed that people of his area have pledged their support to him regardless of which party symbol he contests on. He said his future will be decided by the people, who will support no matter which party symbol I represent.
Hails Congress
Noting that Congress is now gaining strength in Odisha and the country, Bhupinder said if the BJD fails to take the role of principal opposition, Congress will move forward at a fast pace. The statement made by Singh has triggered discussions in political circles on whether he is getting ready to part ways with BJD.
Bhupinder was earlier in Congress for a long time. He has also remained a minister. Subsequently, he contested the election from Narla Assembly constituency and won to become the Leader of the Opposition. Later, he quit Congress and joined BJD. Observers now wonder as to why he is suddenly praising Congress after being in the BJD for so many years. There is talk that he is leaving the BJD camp and moving towards the Congress. There is talk that if a leader praises another party, then he may move towards that party. And there is talk that something like that may happen here too.
Once considered a firebrand leader in Congress, Bhupinder had suddenly deserted the national party when he was the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. When the Congress was upbeat with him, Bhupinder himself quit the party and joined BJD. After he joined BJD, the regional party sent him to the Rajya Sabha. After being in BJD for a long time, he has now again praised Congress. The PCC president is a resident of Kalahandi, the home district of Bhupinder. Therefore, it is believed that Bhupinder may return to Congress. However, after Bhupinder’s explosive statement, only time will tell whether he will stay in the BJD or return home.
