Rat theory emerges after ‘Vibhishana’ remark: Resentment intensifies among BJD leaders after poll debacle

Resentment is gradually intensifying among the BJD leaders after the debacle in the 2024 General Elections.

After BJD Corporator Amaresh Jena’s recent statement that there is a ‘Vibhishana’ inside who is trying to disintegrate the party, former party MLA Sambit Routray has given a new theory as the reason behind BJD’s dismal show in the last election.

According to former Paradip MLA Routray, there are rats inside the drum (internal sabotage). He further said that Naveen Patnaik didn’t lose, rather he was misdirected to be defeated. Most importantly, he indirectly admitted that VK Pandian was one of the reasons behind BJD’s defeat. 

 “Review is being made to find out the reason behind BJD’s defeat in different meetings. There were rats inside the drum. Naveen Patnaik has not lost, rather he was misdirected in a planned manner to ensure his defeat. Some matters should not be spoken that will damage the image of the party,” said Routray.

After Routray’s explosive statement, questions have been raised on who is responsible for BJD’s defeat and who are the so-called rats in the drum?

Earlier, former Choudwar MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal had also targeted Pandian and the party’s organizational Secretary Pranab Prakash Das for the party’s defeat. Apart from Biswal and Routray, senior party leaders Arun Sahoo and Badri Narayan Patra had also earlier indirectly indicated about Pandian factor behind Party’s poor show.

“There was not proper understanding within the party that led to the defeat,” said Biswal.

As per political experts, Routray is indicating towards Pandian and Das for party’s defeat.

“An IPS officer, an IAS officer who later became 5T Chairman, a Rajya Sabha member and Pranab Prakash Das were distributing tickets and managing the elections. Sambit Routray has given indication towards them,” said political analyst Akshay Sahu.

Though BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik had earlier said that a committee will be formed to find the reason behind BJD’s defeat, nothing has been done so far. Though Patnaik has given clean chit to Pandian, resentment is intensifying among the party leaders over the issue.