In the ensuing elections, backstabbing will not be tolerated, said BJD observer of Puri district Ranendra Pratap Swain while issuing a veiled warning to Nimapara MLA Samir Ranjan Dash who has been dropped by the party in this election.
Swain’s statement came after hundreds of supporters of Samir Dash joined the BJP on Thursday.
While addressing a workers’ meeting, Swain said, “Tickets of several MLAs and ministers of our party have been cancelled this time. Yet, our respect for them hasn’t declined. The party has honoured Samir Dash duly. Let me clear one thing that paying respect shouldn’t be equated with weakness.”
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“We can never tolerate any backstabbing activities during this election,” he added.
He also appealed to leaders and workers of the Nimapara Assembly constituency to work unitedly to ensure the victory of the party’s candidate Dilip Nayak.
Responding to Swain’s statement, Dash’s supporter Pradeepta Kumar Khatoi said, “Had the party leaders taken a decision after consulting Nimapara workers, a good message would have gone. My answer to Ranendra Pratap Swain for his indirect threatening is that Nimapara voters will give a befitting reply and the effect of the party’s decision will be seen on June 4.”
Notably, resentment among the supporters of Samir Ranjan Dash has been brewing since the cancellation of Dash’s ticket.