Is Cuttack BJD ridden with factional feuds?

The infighting is reportedly gripping the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Cuttack. The ruling party is allegedly divided into two camps as Cuttack mayor Subash Singh and Rajya Sabha MP and party’s Cuttack district unit president Debashish Samantaray are not getting along with each other.

As per reports, the two leaders recently held two separate meetings. A group of party workers who have been opposing Debasish was seen at Naveen Niwas on Sunday.

As many as 15 Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) corporators held discussions with top party leaders, though two sides have denied reports of dissidence among them.

However, Bikash Behera, one of the corporators, after meeting the Chief Minister, tactically evaded the issue, saying, ”We came here to thank the Chief Minister for picking up right candidates like Prakash Behera for Barabati-Cuttack Assembly seat and Santrupt Mishra as MP candidate.”

Behera added that they came here to discuss with the Chief Minister about how to ensure victories of the MLA and the MP nominees in Cuttack.  

Speaking to the media, senior BJD leader Debashish Samantaray said, ”They may not have gone against me, because I have gone to Rajya Sabha. All BJD corporators and leaders have committed before the Chief Minister that all will work together to ensure victories of the party's MLA and MP nominees in the upcoming elections."