BJD foundation day scuffle: Party on verge of disintegration!

Turmoil has engulfed Biju Janata Dal (BJD) as infighting has erupted into public view during the party's foundation day celebrations at Sankha Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.

Internal bickering recently surfaced when a heated exchange took place between the party spokeswoman Ipsita Sahoo and fellow worker Pushpanjali Rana from Puri district escalated into a physical brawl, captured in a video that quickly spread on social media.

Pushpanjali Rana accused Ipsita Sahoo of initially showing disrespect towards senior party members before allegedly assaulting her, leading to damages to her jewellery and saree. She claimed that Ipsita confronted her post-event to express discontent, an encounter that was intervened by senior BJD members aiming to mediate.

Also Read: BJD spokeswoman ‘slapped’ during foundation day event in Bhubaneswar

This internal discord comes amid increasing factionalism within BJD, particularly in Naveen Patnaik's stronghold, Ganjam district. The region has witnessed a noticeable shift, with several prominent figures defecting from BJD to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

On the foundation day itself, the Bhanjanagar block president along with three committee members moved to the saffron camp, mirroring similar transitions in Polsara where several local leaders, including sarpanchs and committee members, also shifted allegiance.

Pushpanjali Rana questioned how a video of the incident circulated despite reconciliatory efforts. Ipsita Sahoo remains silent publicly, and BJD officials have downplayed the scuffle as a minor issue, asserting it has since been resolved.

“I did not attack first and something had happened beforehand. A woman (Pushpanjali) who had never opened her mouth in the past 20 years, why did she react that day? Rather, Ipsita tore my saree and snapped my jewellery,” the BJD worker from Puri said.

Must Read: BJD tries to overcome internal rifts as Foundation Day gets closer

“Several others, including some male party workers, were also involved in the scuffle. Later, the matter was compromised. However, she passed on the video to the media to blame me. She has also lodged an FIR against me,” Pushpanjali Rana expressed.

However, this incident adds to the perception of growing unrest extending from the party's headquarters at Sankha Bhavan to its grassroots supporters.

Notably, political analysts suggested that disenchanted leaders within the BJD are increasingly gravitating towards the BJP, signalling a possible realignment in Odisha's political dynamics.

Reported By: Debasish Mohanty, Rajesh Panda, Pitabasa Das, Ashok Brahma, Jagdish Das