The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is reportedly in turmoil with revolts by leaders, who were denied party tickets. Delaying the announcement of tickets in some seats has made the matter worse.
As per reports, supporters of the sitting MLA of Nimapara, Samir Ranjan Dash fumed after their leader was denied a ticket. They warned of mass resignation if the party doesn’t reconsider Dash for a ticket. The BJD has fielded Dillip Nayak in the Nimapara Assembly seat this time.
At a meeting with his supporters, Dash was seen in tears while addressing the gathering. His supporters strongly opposed Dillip Nayak. His supporters including the block chairperson and some Zilla Parishad members will hold a meeting on Saturday to decide the next course of action.
Dash said, "My political career spans over 42 years. I was so engrossed in politics that I did not have time for my wife. We are carrying out activities for our party and workers.”
Jhunu Mallick, chairperson of Gop block said, "The Chief Minister repeatedly assured Samir Babu of a ticket, but he was denied. Why his candidature was rejected?”
Similar discontent was witnessed among the supporters of two MLAs –Purna Chandra Baka (Chitrakonda) and Kishore Nayak (Kuchinda), though the two have not commented yet. The party has replaced them with new faces.
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On the other hand, the party has not yet decided on the candidate for the Khordha Assembly seat where a new face is likely to be given a chance. The party may give a chance to Begunia MLA Rajendra Sahoo, but sitting MLA Jitu Mitra is still aspiring for a ticket.
Jitu Mitra argued that as many sitting MLAs have been repeated, the party should give him a ticket. “I demand the party to give me another chance to serve,” he said.
Jitu Mitra’s supporter Tapan Panda said, "As the decision for a ticket is getting delayed, members of the block committee and Zilla Parishad met VK Pandian.”
In Barchana, the party has kept the fate of sitting MLA Amar Prasad Satpathy hanging in balance even though he has been making shows of his strength. Meanwhile, the party has inducted Congress leader Raj Mohapatra, son of former MLA Sitakant Mohapatra, into the party. Mohapatra is expected to get a BJD ticket in Barchana, which has enraged the camp of the sitting MLA.
In Bhograi, the fate of senior leader & MLA, Ananta Das is also undecided. Das wants a BJD ticket for his son and came to Naveen Niwas to lobby for it.
However, BJD MLA Nrushingha Sahu said that tickets are being distributed on the basis of a survey and the party will decide about the rehabilitation of leaders who are denied tickets.
Earlier, Soro MLA Parshuram Dhada resigned from the party after he was denied a ticket. Moreover, sitting MLAs Ramesh Sai and Kailash Kulesika have quit the BJD and joined the BJP.