BJD in trouble as CM Naveen’s popularity rating has nose-dived by 22 per cent: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday took a jibe at the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) by citing a recent survey that showed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s approval rating going down by 22 per cent in a year.

Speaking to reporters, Odisha BJP General Secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said, “Their party (BJD) is in trouble. The Chief Minister too is in trouble. Even the government is in trouble. CM Naveen Patnaik’s approval rating has declined by 22 per cent in a year. He is losing ground beneath his feet. Along with his popularity, his party’s popularity is also nose-diving. That is why they are making a government official visit different districts as a new face of the party.”

Harichandan said this while commenting on BJD MP Sasmit Patra’s earlier comments on suspended party leader, Prashant Jagdev joining the BJP after holding a discussion with Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

“Sasmit Patra’s statement does not have an iota of truth in it. They (Jagdev & Pradhan) have not met and no discussion has happened between the two about him joining the BJP,” Harichandan asserted.

Harichandan further challenged Patra to provide proof of such a meeting saying he (Patra) is telling all this as per the instruction from the third floor.

Patra on Monday stated that Chilika MLA Prashant Jagdev may join BJP. While responding to the 'Shashikala Syndrome’ jibe of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Patra on Monday said, “CM Naveen had suspended Jagdev for attacking BJP leaders and also later dismissed him from the BJD, but the same Jagdev is now going to join the BJP with the blessings of Pradhan.”