We are not salaried employees and nobody can intimidate us, says BJD leader over Naveen Patnaik’s remark

We don’t work under pressure, nor will anyone dare to intimidate us, said senior BJD leader Prafulla Mallik amid the internal turmoil in BJD over Waqf Bill voting row and subsequent statements made by party president Naveen Patnaik.

Amid the political stir created by BJD MP Sasmit Patra’s controversial remarks on the Waqf Bill and the party leadership's subsequent show of support to VK Pandian, senior BJD leader Prafulla Mallik has given a strong reaction, dismissing all speculations and criticisms.

Reacting sharply to comments and interpretations circulating in political circles after the BJD president’s statements, Mallik stated, “No one can cast a crooked eye at anyone. We are not salaried employees to be ordered around or intimidated. No one can dare to glare at us disrespectfully.”

Also Read: BJD chief Naveen Patnaik is telling lies to evade Waqf Bill voting controversy, alleges Prabhat Tripathy

What BJD President Naveen Patnaik Had Said?

On April 9, Naveen Patnaik had come to the defence of VK Pandian and also disapproved any kind of congregation by BJD leaders in hotels.

“I would like to state here that I disapprove of any large meetings in hotels held by party members. They have the party office ‘Sankha Bhawan’ which is a large building where they have been told they should hold the meeting,” Patnaik had told.

On Naveen Patnaik’s statements and further clarifying the nature of informal meetings and gathering spots being discussed in the media, Mallik today said, “Where and when we sit is our personal matter. It’s not right to say that we can’t sit in a hotel. We only go to Shankha Bhavan (the BJD headquarters) when there is an official party meeting.”

His remarks come in the backdrop of party MP Sasmit Patra’s statement on the Waqf Bill, which stirred debate, and BJD president Minister Naveen Patnaik’s clear endorsement of Pandian, causing further buzz within political and media circles.

Mallik’s statement appears to be a message aimed at silencing internal speculations and asserting that the party functions on its own principles — not under anyone’s pressure or influence.