BJD controlled by Congress from Delhi: Odisha BJP

The politics in Odisha is heating up again after BJP MLA Ashwini Sarangi said the BJD is being controlled by Congress from Delhi and, on the other hand, the conch party is controlling the State Congress. 

Sarangi said whatever steps the BJD is taking are in accordance with the direction from Congress in Delhi. 

“BJD is doing what it has been asked to do by Congress in centre and the State unit of Congress here is doing what it has been asked by the BJD.  Moreover, the BJD is in no position to say anything. For what it has done in its 24 years, people are regarding it with contempt,” said Sarangi. 

BJD’s B team is Congress. The former doesn’t have any ideology. For its own benefit, it may embrace the INDI Alliance. But, it would have hardly any impact. With each passing day, BJD is running out of steam, he said. 

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Hitting out at Sarangi, BJD MLA Dhruba Sahu said they don’t have any masters in Delhi. 

“In Odisha, BJD is fighting for the welfare of the state while remaining equidistance from both the BJP and Congress. Our leader Naveen Patnaik is still sticking to his guns. A believer in the ‘ Ekla Chalo Re’ principle, he won’t go for any alliance with any party,” said Sahu.

At the same time, the Congress’s state unit too brushed BJP leader Sarangi’s statement aside. 

“BJP and BJD have different ideologies. Our ideology is different too. We all have different manifestos. We are with people by taking up various issues. Congress is not a regional party. How can BJD control Congress? If a situation arises, Congress may control the BJD. Congress may guide it. BJD has no connection with the Congress. Rather, it has a relationship with the BJP,” said Congress MLA Ashok Das.