There seems to be no end to the alleged infighting among the BJD corporators igniting speculation that a rift is intensifying within the Biju Janata Dal.
After corporator Amaresh Jena’s claim of a ‘Vibhishana’ inside the party a day before, a group of 24 BJD corporators assembled at a star hotel in Bhubaneswar and addressed a presser. They alleged that two corporators (Amaresh and Biranchi Nayaran Mahasupkar) are trying to divide the party. However, they all are united.
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In response, Mahasupkar has brought another serious allegation against them. He alleged that a victorious and another defeated MLA of the party are instigating some corporators to resort to groupism.
Mahasupkar asked many uncomfortable questions like- on whose direction the corporators addressed the presser. Did they get permission from the party president or the district president in this regard?
Mahasupkar further alleged that a victorious and another defeated MLA are creating disturbances within the party.
“We don’t have the right to tell anything against the party in a presser outside without taking permission. If anybody makes mistake, solution should be made by discussing it with senior leaders of the party. Solution can’t be reached by bringing false allegations. Fault actually lies with them. A victorious and another defeated MLA of the party are instigating some corporators to resort to groupism. I request them to refrain from this kind of activity that is harmful for the party. We respect the party and will work accordingly as per the direction of the party,” said Mahasupkar.
Meanwhile, opening up on the controversy, Mayor Sulochana Das said that all the BJD corporators are united.
“There will be victory and also defeat in elections. However, we will not refrain from serving people. All the BJD corporators are united and all of us are working unitedly. Those who are telling that there is a ‘Vibhishana’ within the party, could only tell about it. All the 57 corporators of BJD are united. I don’t know who conducted the press meet. I also don’t know who all have individual distress and dissatisfaction,” said Das.
Also Read | Rift wide open in BJD! Bhubaneswar corporators ‘divided’ as ‘Vibhishana’ remark adds new twist
No reaction could be obtained from former Minister Ashok Panda and MLA Anant Narayan Jena over the allegations.