A day after Gopalpur MLA and expelled BJD leader Pradeep Panigrahi backed Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Congress on Monday came in support of Panigrahi.
Panigrahi on Sunday said, “Soumya babu is not Pradeep Panigrahi. Many people are with him. To remove him from BJD vice-president post was a desperate bid. Let us see how BJD will axe Soumya from the party?”
Panigrahi also stated that around 110 out of 112 BJD MLAs are crying. There is no association of MLAs. Things will be solved if there will be an association of MLAs in place, he said.
Congress MLA, Sura Routray today said, “In Odisha, Ministers, MLAs, or MPs have nothing to say or have any role. The State is being run by 5 non-odia Secretaries. Like Ministers, Odia secretaries seem like sleeping.”
Culture and Tourism Minister, Ashwini Patra said, “Someone might be saying this out of jealousy. The CM or BJD has nothing to say or do with this and we will continue to work for the people.”
Patra further said that if anybody is doing any conspiracy, they will become a victim of their own conspiracy. “BJD will again come to power with a majority,” he added.