TV
While BJD parliamentarian Manas Mangaraj criticised the Centre by terming the railway projects sanctioned to Odisha as old projects, another parliamentarian of the party Sujeet Kumar hailed the Union Government and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the matter. Under the circumstances, speculation is rife that some BJD leaders may follow the path of the party’s former Rajya Sabha MP Mamata Mohanta who recently joined BJP.
“No new railway project has been sanctioned for Odisha in the last 8 years. Yet again, one old project has been announced. Funds for the Gunupur-Therubali railway project were sanctioned 7 years ago. For this, the BJD Govt led by Shri @Naveen_Odisha has already given land,” Mangaraj wrote on social media account X (earlier known as Twitter).
“Different Ministers are giving different versions about how much money is being given to Odisha. Why are Odisha BJP leaders silent on Bargarh-Nuapada railway project? Many districts still do not have rail connectivity. The central Govt has not given back even half of the revenue taken from Odisha. Odisha demands justice and better treatment from the Double Engine Sarkar,” he further tweeted.
However, Sujeet was effusive in his praise for the Union government and Vaishnaw.
“Heartfelt gratitude to the Union Cabinet and Hon’ble Union Railway Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw ji for approving the new Junagarh-Nabarangpur Railway Line and five other projects in Odisha. I have been consistently advocating for this since 2021 across various forums. Hope this project is completed swiftly for the benefit of the people of Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, and the entire region,” Sujeet tweeted along with a picture of him with Vaishnaw.
Though politics has been intensified for different opinions of the two BJD leaders, the party ducked the issue by saying that it’s Sujeet’s personal opinion.
“Everyone is free to give his own opinion. It should not be considered that he has a link with BJP. It’s a rumour. All the leaders of the party love Naveen Patnaik and they are united,” said BJD leader Sambit Routray.
However, in response, BJP said that BJD leaders are feeling suffocated and as a result, they are getting inclined towards BJP.
“BJD leaders are getting suffocated. Inspired by the developmental activities, leaders of many parties are inclined towards BJP. BJD can’t stop the trend as people want development,” said BJP leader Samir Ranjan Dash.
Meanwhile, according to political analysts, BJD leaders have started losing their faith in the party’s leadership.
“Given his opinion beyond the party line, it is being speculated that he may be the next to follow Mamata Mohanta. Many BJD leaders are also trying to find new ways for them as Mamata Mohanta did,” said senior journalist Prasanna Mohanty.
