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Former minister and senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Ranendra Pratap Swain expressed his deep concern on Wednesday over internal dynamics within the party, stating that voices of the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities were overshadowed by some leaders over years.
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Swain calls for increased representation
The senior BJD leader noted that any attempts to rectify this neglect are now overdue, suggesting that earlier interventions could have altered the present scenario. He recalled that the legacy of legendary Biju Patnaik, fondly known as Biju Babu, has always emphasised on empowering these communities. Biju Babu had a strong presence and adherence among the SC, ST, and OBC communities, the senior BJD leader expressed.
Swain called upon the BJD leadership to address members deviating from this mission, cautioning that history may not forgive this neglect.
Reflecting on past disagreements, Swain recalls his contention with the party’s organisational secretary Pranab Prakash (Bobby) Das during the establishment of the OBC Commission, particularly challenging the accuracy of their figures then.
While addressing a gathering at BJD’s protest near Raj Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, Ranendra Pratap Swain expressed, “Those who had been neglecting the SC, ST, OBC issues despite remaining within the party, I want to remind them of the writing on the wall that says ‘Hum Toh Log Hain Aise Deewane, Duniyan Ko Badal Kar Manenge; Hum Toh Kisise Kam Nehin, Duniyan Ko Badal Kar Manenge.”
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In light of Swain's statements, BJD’s another senior leader, Debi Prasad Mishra, reiterated the unity within the party, emphasising collective coherence despite internal challenges.
“We all are united and are excited, as you see,” BJD’s Debi Mishra said.
