BJD infighting reaches Naveen Niwas; party supremo tries hard to diffuse tension, ensure unity

The Biju Janta Dal (BJD)’s infighting reached the peak after it reached the Naveen Niwas, forcing the party supremo Naveen Patnaik to intervene to diffuse the growing tension and ensure unity in the organisation.

The BJD President had to mediate and bring things under control as the regional party continues to face serious infighting and groupism, particularly in Ganjam district.

As per reports, fissures in BJD have been going on for a long time in Ganjam, the home district of the BJD supremo and former Chief Minister. Rifts have emerged within factions of former MLA Bikram Panda and district BJD President Ramesh Chandra Chayu Patnaik over management of the Ram Lingam Tank in Berhampur, a critical development area.

The long-standing disagreements between the two factions led by Bikram Panda and Chayu Patnaik turned so worse that at least 34 corporators, mayors, and deputy mayors, had to arrive at the Sankha Bhawan to reach a conclusion.

A meeting was chaired by Devi Mishra, head of the BJD's coordination committee at the Sankha Bhawan. However, the matter reached former CM Naveen Patnaik after the two factions failed to reach an agreement. 

The party workers then returned to Berhampur after Naveen Patnaik asked everyone to ensure unity and work for the party’s betterment. 

“We had a meeting in the presence of around 34 corporators, mayors and deputy mayors, former MLA, district president at the Sankha Bhawan. Our focus was on the working relationships, development works, and membership drive so that all the party works are done well with the cooperation of everyone. We also focused on reviving BJD and our former CM Naveen Patnaik is reaching out to our supporters and common people,” senior BJD leader Devi Mishra informed.

Likewise, former BJD MLA Bikram Panda refuted accusations of infightings in party, and dissatisfaction among corporators and other party workers and accused the media of spreading baseless rumours.

“I have no conflict with Chyau Patnaik. There is only one main leader that is Naveen Patnaik and we all follow his directions. Those unwilling to take Naveen babu’s direction always have the option to leave the party. It is the media that is spreading baseless rumours of infighting in our party,” Panda stated.

On the other hand, no comments could be obtained from Chyau Pattnaik's camp on the developments.