Is mining lobby influencing BJD tickets in Odisha?

Former Laxmipur MLA Kailash Chandra Kulesika, who joined BJP on Friday along with his supporters after quitting BJD, has brought serious allegations against the ruling party.

Kulesika alleged that the BJD has been selling tickets for Assembly seats. He further said that the ruling party also tried to ‘buy’ him by paying Rs 1 crore. He also alleged mining lobby in the region.

According to Kulesika, BJD cheated him, a tribal youth, after promising him to give ticket for Laxmipur Assembly seat.

“I joined BJD after the party promised me to give ticket for Laxmipur Assembly seat. However, they betrayed me,” said Kulesika.

Moreover, Kulesika has brought another serious allegation against the BJD that the ruling party has sold ticket to Prabhu Jani. He also alleged that BJD assured him to give Special Development Council (SDC) and Rs 1 crore after the elections, but he denied it.

“As per my information, a deal of Rs 5 crore has been done to provide BJD tickets in Koraput. Tickets have been sold in all the Assembly constituencies of Koraput district. An investigation into it should be launched,” said Kulesika.

“BJD lured me to give Special Development Council (SDC) and Rs 1 crore after the elections. However, I denied it as I have self respect. This is the reason why I have joined the BJP,” he added.

However, BJD refuted the allegations by terming those as baseless.

“As per the survey of the party, Kulesika was not in proper coordination with the party workers. Hence, the party might have told him for other alternative posts. However, the allegation about money is completely baseless,” said BJD general secretary, Iswar Panigrahi.

Why Had Kulesika Joined BJD Earlier?

Now questions are being raised that why did BJD include Kulesika into the party fold? Whether BJD didn’t find Kulesika reliable or used him for fulfilling only its purpose? Even though BJD managed to emerge victorious in Laxmipur seat, the party included Kulesika who was a Congress leader then. 

As per some political analysts, Laxmipur mines could be the main reason behind it as BJD Organizational Secretary Pranab Prakash Das and General Secretary Iswar Panigrahi have business stakes in the mines. 

According to the analysts, Kulesika was in congress and he was raising his voice against Kodingamali mines. Hence, he might have been lured for a BJD ticket. Experts are of the view that Kulesika was denied the ticket at the last moment due to mining issues. 

Though Kulesika was reportedly leading the ticket race in Laxmipur as per the survey by BJD, Prabhu Jani was preferred over him as BJD was afraid that Kulesika may raise his voice against the mining activities again, claimed political experts.

“The outsiders who are involved in mining business activities are managing the political affairs of undivided Koraput district. The leaders of other parties, who were raising their voices against the mining activities, have been lured into the ruling party. BJD’s survey report means nothing. Those who have got BJD tickets is only due to the mercy of mines owners,” said senior Journalist, Rajendra Gouda.

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No comments could be received from the ruling party over the 'mining lobby influencing BJD tickets' allegations of the BJP.