TV
After the jolt dealt out by Rajya Sabha member Mamata Mohanta's resignation from her post and the primary membership of the party, it seems BJD Supremo Naveen Patnaik is making an all-out effort to hold his party united, particularly in Mayurbhanj and Ganjam.
While BJD drew a blank in the Mayurbhanj district in the General Elections 2024, it bit the dust in Ganjam’s Assembly constituencies except Hinjili from where Naveen Patnaik won. Because of the party’s poor performance, the leaders of these two districts are learned to be angry with the party management.
In what seems to be Patnaik’s attempt to set things right in the aforesaid districts, he, on Friday held meetings with the defeated candidates and senior leaders of the two districts.
However, Sudam Marndi and his wife Ranjita Marndi, who unsuccessfully contested from the Bangiriposi Assembly seat, were conspicuous in their absence in the Mayurbhanj meeting. This development has increased the political heat by a few notches.
Meanwhile, BJD alleged a deal behind the resignation of Mamata Mohanta.
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“Exercising power, they are trying to take one by one to their side. They have also taken her and all are aware of the deal struck between her and them. Party’s senior leaders met Naveen Patnaik who advised them to stay united,” said Rajkishore Das, a BJD leader.
Similarly, senior BJD leader Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik said, “Naveen Patnaik asked us to go to the people in Ganjam district to find out their problems, corner the BJP government if it indulges in any anti-people activities and to strengthen the party’s organisation.”
Responding to Das’ statement, BJP’s Aska MLA Saroj Padhi termed the BJD’s deal allegation as baseless.
“The leaders are snapping ties with the BJD as they are feeling suffocated and looking for fresh air. They are in fear that there will be none in the party. There is no truth in the deal allegation,” said Padhi.
According to political experts, after the party’s poll debacle, leaders’ faith in the party president is dwindling. In such a situation, it would be a big challenge for the party to pick up the pieces and bring the party back on the tracks.
“As many leaders are about to leave the party, it is a big challenge for the BJD to get the party united. The party will make a comeback only when the causes behind the debacles are found out and the leaders who are responsible for the party’s severe loss are shown the door,” said Prasanna Mohanty, a political analyst.
