TV
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is experiencing internal discord following the voting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha. The voting has snowballed into a major crisis in BJD with Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra in the firing line over allegedly bringing in the 'conscience factor' into play and favouring the legislation.
Also Read: Waqf Amendment Bill row: BJD reaffirms its ‘secular stance’
While several senior leaders of the regional outfit on Saturday wrote to BJD president Naveen Patnaik demanding action against Sasmit for going against the party stand, senior party leader Pravat Tripathy criticised Patra on Sunday, questioning his authority to express such views.
“What is Sasmit’s right to speak in such a manner?” Tripathy questioned. The remarks have led to internal suspicions and contention. He also turned his attention to VK Pandian, highlighting a perceived contradiction between Pandian's previous intention of retirement from politics and his active involvement in current decision-making at Naveen Niwas.
Tripathy blames Pandian for poll debacle
“Pandian who claims to have done a lot for the party, I say, is primarily responsible for its potential decline. Pandian is the main villain responsible for BJD’s debacle in the last General Elections,” Tripathy claimed. He attributed the recent election results to Pandian’s ‘ill-motivated’ activities.
Furthermore, Tripathy remarked, “Pandian is not Naveen, as people have clearly indicated.”
He asserted that the majority of the party's leaders were and are against Pandian. The BJD leader suggested that Pandian has become a liability for the BJD. Some individuals are falsely attributing credit to Pandian in an attempt to downplay the role of Naveen Patnaik, Tripathy expressed.
Must Read: BJD’s stance in flux over Waqf Amendment Bill!
Notably, Tripathy also commented on Sujata Rout Karthikeyan’s resignation, implying its significance in the wider narrative of internal party discord.
