TV
In a rare outburst, senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Prafulla Mallick has cautioned that he may quit the party if it ‘does not function in the right manner.’ His remarks are being viewed as an indirect warning to party president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Breaking his silence after a long time, Mallick said, “I am still in the BJD, but I no longer participate in any organisational activity. If the party fails to run properly in the days ahead, I will move away.”
He accused the BJD of failing to discharge its role as the principal Opposition in the state and alleged that the party no longer follows its earlier ideology. Mallick claimed that while some of his suggestions for strengthening the organisation were accepted, such as forming the PAC and a disciplinary committee, many other proposals were ignored.
The veteran leader also expressed displeasure that no one from the party had consulted him in recent times. He ruled out the idea of creating a new BJD, but stressed that the ‘old BJD must be run properly.’
“I no longer participate in any organisational activity as BJD is not functioning properly. I will do social work. The party has failed to discharge its role as the principal Opposition in the state. This is not the right time to make a decision for an alternative. People still have support for the BJD,” said Mallick.
Also Read: Operation Blue Star: Eviction drive begins at Utkal University official quarters in Bhubaneswar
“If the party functions properly, I will continue to be with it. If not, I will be engaging myself with social organisations,” he added.
The BJD leadership has not yet responded to Mallick’s sharp remarks.
