So-called BJD leaders have taken party close to Bay of Bengal and all is left to drown it: Amaresh Jena

In a stunning turn of events that has stirred the political landscape of Odisha, Amarendra Jena, a sitting corporator from Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and a member of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has publicly voiced strong discontent against the party’s internal functioning. 

In a series of explosive statements, Jena on Tuesday alleged that the BJD is no longer being run democratically and has fallen into the hands of a few conspirators who are more interested in personal power than the party’s welfare.

5 Leaders Plotting BJD’s Downfall

Addressing media personnel, Jena accused five unnamed leaders within the BJD of plotting the party’s downfall.

“The party is being misused by a handful of individuals who are in a race for power and influence. Those who truly work for the party are being sidelined, while the power remains concentrated in the hands of four or five people who are clearly biased and are operating under the influence of certain veteran leaders,” he said.

BJD Lost Its Golden Touch

Jena went on to say that the people running the party today are not acting independently, and they are merely implementing the orders of their mentors. Whatever these senior figures say, they follow blindly, without question or concern for the broader consequences.

He didn’t stop there. Amarendra Jena delivered a biting critique of the post-election scenario, stating, “After the electoral defeat, instead of self-reflection or corrective measures, these leaders are busy trying to retain their influence in all the districts. The party, which enjoyed a stronghold for 24 years, has now lost its golden touch. Earlier, even a mere touch by the party turned things into gold, but now those glory days seem far behind.”

Perhaps the most scathing remark came when he warned that these so-called leaders have taken the party close to the Bay of Bengal, and all that’s left is for it to sink into the ocean. 

“They have damaged a good government through internal conspiracies. Those once close to Pyari (a former key BJD strategist) are now close to Naveen Patnaik. I fear these very individuals will ultimately sink the party,” he added.

Further intensifying the controversy, Jena stated that even after the electoral defeat, some leaders continue to act as though they hold ministerial positions. “They haven’t awakened from their illusion of power. I warn that voices will rise against those harming the party from within.”

In what appears to be a direct fallout of these tensions, supporters of Amarendra Jena reportedly staged a protest outside the residence of senior BJD leader Sanjay Das Burma late last night in Bhubaneswar. The protest, sparked by discussions about Jena possibly being removed from the BJD's State Council, resulted in loud demonstrations and heated exchanges outside Das Burma’s residence.

As of now, the Biju Janata Dal has not issued any official response to Amarendra Jena’s statements. However, political analysts believe that such public dissent from within the party ranks reflects growing unrest and internal strife following the recent electoral setback.