TV
Making a startling revelation regarding his decision to quit BJD, former MP Prasanna Patasani on Tuesday stated that it was only due to VK Pandian that he had quit the party. The veteran leader went on to add that it was VK Pandian for whom a popular government was dethroned in Odisha.
“I had quit BJD due to VK Pandian and a popular government was thrown out of power due to him. It hurts when a person like me who was a founding member quits the party. After quitting, I joined the BJP,” said Patasani.
The senior leader also threw weight behind the recent remarks made by BJD leader Amar Satpathy. Satpathy recently targeted BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik stating that the former Chief Minister should accept responsibility for the defeat in the 2024 elections. On Monday, Satpathy further said that he is no longer associated with the conch party.
Also Read: Took Credit for Victory, Naveen Patnaik Should now Accept Responsibility for defeat: BJD's Amar Satpathy
Meanwhile, former MP Prasanna Patasani today also questioned what happened to VK Pandian’s announcement of retiring from active politics. Post the poll debacle, Pandian had announced to quit active politics. However, the former MP said that there is still influence of Pandian in BJD.
Patasani further added that BJD cannot come to power till VK Pandian is associated with the party.
“We love him (Prasanna Patasani) very much. But what vested interest prompted him to give such a statement in this age after being instigated by Baijayant Panda?,” said Lenin Mohanty, spokesperson, BJD.
Patasani termed the allegation of Mohanty as baseless.
"No one persuaded me in this regard,” he said.
“Lenin Mohanty is doing chap politics. He wants to be popular overnight by doing this,” said Duryodhan Sahu, former BJP district president, Kendrapara.
