A day after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi on Thursday not only showed his power in Ganjam but also in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on dais asserted that the mission will start from Hinjili, Chief Minister’s home constituency.
A massive procession followed by a bike rally was taken out from Ambapua Kali temple. Thousands of Panigrahi’s supporters joined the rally. The procession culminated at the meeting place. Later, under his leadership, former corporator and BJD town vice president K Anil Kumar, Biju Mahila Janata Dal vice president Minati Das, and hundreds of BJD workers embraced the BJP.
While addressing the gathering from the dais he shared with the Defence Minister, he said there will be a change in Odisha and the mission will start from Hinjili.
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“Delhi 400 and Odisha 100. I have requested the workers to work hard. Workers are soldiers, and when soldiers and general will work together, victory is inevitable,” said Panigrahi.
When asked, Ganjam district BJD president Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik said, “His words will have no impact. With the blessings of the Chief Minister, he became legislator three times. Now, people have rejected him.”
Given the present infighting in the ruling BJD in every constituency, the political corridors are abuzz with talks that the BJP will make the most of the situation.
Digapahandi is once known as a BJD’s strongest bastion. But here, the infighting between Biplab Patra, son of late Surya Patra and ousted leader Bipin Pradhan is intensifying. The same situation prevails in Chhatrapur, Aska and Polasara.
According to political analysts, the BJP will definitely have benefits because Panigrahi had been in charge of Ganajm district for the BJD for a long period.
“Due to Naveen Patnaik’s aging leadership, the infighting in the party can’t be controlled in many places. Since Pradeep Panigrahi once used to be a close aide of Naveen Patnaik, he knows the party’s strong points and weak points. So some benefits will definitely go to the BJP,” said Rabi Das, a political analyst.