The dissidence by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) disgruntled aspirants is at its peak in Cuttack city where scores of rebel candidates are contesting the CMC elections either independently or on rival party tickets.
Meanwhile, the BJD has reportedly started making efforts to persuade the rebel candidates to withdraw their nominations. March 14 is the last date for withdrawal of nominations.
Be it Bhubaneswar, Cuttack or Berhampur, widespread dissidence amongst the rebel candidates against the conch party is well felt.
In Bhubaneswar, while in some Wards, aspirants for BJD tickets are in the arena as independent candidates, in some other Wards, they crossed over to opposition parties overnight and are now in the fray on their tickets.
For example, in Ward no-65, Rajesh Patra is BJD’s candidate for corporator seat. On the other hand, Kishorimohan Pattanayak, who had been waiting for a party ticket till last minute, is contesting the election as an independent candidate.
In what is regarded as potentially detrimental to the party, Khordha district BJD president Bibhuti Balabantaray is supporting Kishorimohan, while party’s senior leader Ashok Chandra Panda is throwing his weight behind Rajesh.
“I came to know that the candidate fielded by the party is not from Ward no-65. I have requested Minister Ashok Chandra Panda to look into the matter,” said Balabantaray.
In his reaction, Minister Panda said, “Our efforts are on to pacify the rebel candidate.”
The same situation prevails in Ward number 38. Rajashree Mohanty, an aspirant for a party ticket, has blamed Bhubaneswar (Central) MLA Ananta Narayan Jena for being denied of the ticket.
In as many as 20 Wards, the BJD is struggling with such dissidence.
The number of rebel candidates in Cuttack and Berhampur Municipal Corporations are also worth consideration. While BJD leader Bijay Behera is contesting independently from Ward no 20, former corporator Daya Nayak and BJD leader Bikas Behera are in the fray in Ward no 41 as independent candidates.
“I waited for the party ticket till the last moment. I feel I have been ignored by the party. My supporters are with me,” said Behera.
In Berhampur, the disgruntled BJD candidates have alleged that the party has given tickets to leaders imported from the Congress, ignoring them.
“The party has given importance to imported candidates. Since I have been associated with the people, I hope I will have their support,” said former corporator, Berhampur, Biren Pattanayak.
The BJD admitted it that there is dissidence in the party. “In politics, dissidence is common to find. But tickets have been given to those who have the ability to win the election. We will do floor management,” said Rural Development Minister Sushant Singh.