Discontent among the BJD leaders who have been denied tickets is intensifying. While several such leaders are expressing their dissatisfaction openly, BJD leader Samir Dash on Saturday made a show of strength by organising a massive rally and a congregation of his supporters at Barabati Ground at Nimapara in Puri district.
On April 17, BJD announced its fifth list of candidates in which three sitting MLAs including Samir Dash were denied tickets. In place of Dash, the party nominated BJP turncoat, Dilip Nayak. This left Dash’s supporters enraged.
Today they urged the party president to reconsider the candidate for the Nimapara Assembly seat while sloganeering - ‘Samir Nahin Ta, Sankha Nahin’ (No Samir, no Conch).
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“This programme has been organised by workers. Over 30,000 people today requested the Chief Minister to reconsider the decision and save Nimapara, which has been the fortress of the BJD,” said Dash.
On the other hand, BJD MLA Dhruba Sahu said the power show won’t have any impact on the party.
“It is a common thing in politics. It will hardly affect the party. People will remember two things- Naveen Patnaik and the conch symbol and nothing else,” said Sahu.
It is discussed that the party has dropped Samir for his alleged involvement in the Zilla Parishad member, Dharmendra Sahu’s murder case.