Discord brewing in Cuttack BJD? MP Debasish Samantaray’s absence in protest meet triggers speculation

Internal conflicts within the Cuttack unit of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) have resurfaced, with tensions escalating between Cuttack district BJD president and Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray and Mayor Subhash Singh becoming quite visible on the ground.

The rift between the two BJD heavyweights came to the fore after Debasish Samantaray was not seen during a protest meeting organised by Mayor Subhash Singh against the Odisha government in the city.

The protest meeting was attended by some corporators and Singh’s supporters, and it indicates towards a growing dissatisfaction within the party ranks.

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Debashish Samantaray stated that he was not invited to the protest meeting. However, his absence was also noted at a blood donation camp organized by Cuttack Mayor Subhash Singh the previous day. 

Additionally, Samantaray reportedly expressed displeasure over the absence of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s photo on the event banner, despite Biju Patnaik’s image being present.

“Till now it has not happened. I would have attended if I had been invited. I personally feel that the image of Naveen Patnaik should have been included in the banner, and why it was not there, the Mayor can better answer,” said Samantaray.

On the other hand, Mayor Subhas Singh refuted claims of factionalism, asserting that everyone had been invited to the event. However, the developments hint at ongoing power struggles within the Cuttack BJD unit.

“I have worked with Debasish Samantaray for the past 15 years and there have been no issues so far. We are united and we had invited everybody,” said Mayor Subhash Singh.