Infighting in BJD out in open as leaders come out against party MLA, office bearer

At a time when the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has reportedly been struggling with infighting, two BJD leaders of Niali on Monday took a dig at Cuttack district BJD president Debashis Samantaray over his statement on Niali MLA Pramod Mallick. They also didn’t spare MLA Mallick.

A few days ago, Samantaray had participated in a party programme held in Niali. On this occasion, while speaking to journalists, he heaped praise on Niali MLA Mallick.

“Niali people have faith in him (Pramod Mallick). He should also believe that Naveen Patnaik will field him as MLA candidate; and he will win for the fourth time. If the Niali area has become a citadel of the BJD, the credit goes to Pramod Mallick,” Samantray had said.

“He has the right to get a ticket. And there are some aspirants who once came to me. I asked them to get the blessings of the people of the constituency first and then go to Naveen Patnaik for his blessings,” he had said. 

However, Samantray’s such words have not gone well with some BJD leaders. 

On Monday, BJD leaders from Niali, Bipin Behera and Trupti Ranjan Behera called a press meet to lash out at Samantaray. 

“It is up to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to take a call on the selection of candidates. But, he (Samantaray) had said that MLA Pramod Mallick will get the ticket for the fourth time. This has exasperated the aspiring candidates and the people,” said Trupti Ranjan Behera.

Echoing the same, Bipin Behera said, “We have been working for the party since its formation and even prior to that when there was Janata Dal. He (Pramod Mallick) may be lacking in discipline... And it has already been proved. The fact why he is against me is that when it comes to the time spent in the party, he is younger to me.”