As for Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's fresh statement that VK Pandian is not his successor, BJP National Vice President and party’s Kendrapara Lok Sabha candidate Baijayant 'Jay' Panda said, “The people of Odisha know that the person (Pandian) has been controlling the CM, the BJD and the government."
“The entire Odisha is watching how he has been physically controlling the hands and legs of the CM. People have seen how he prompted the CM by holding a mic to him. People have seen how he (Pandian) poked the CM with his leg on the dais. This is well understood by the people,” the BJP leader said.
He further added, "People of Odisha are now clear that if they vote for Naveen Babu this time, their vote will go to this non-Odia Tamilian who is fully controlling him (CM Naveen)."
'An Orchestrated Interview'
Similarly, former BJP president Samir Mohanty said, "Gumasta (referring to Pandian) had arranged an interview for the CM who made such a statement. This is an attempt by the Gumasta to save him from the fury of the party workers. He has been remote-controlling the government. Gumasta had been instructed by Naveen Babu to visit across the state to sort out the problems of the people. Now, Naveen Babu says the people of Odisha will pick up his heir. The BJD leaders have realised that the people of Odisha have changed their minds to choose the BJP as an alternative.”
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Mohanty also asserted that the BJD workers would attack Gumasta on June 4 and before any such thing happened to him, he arranged a press meet for the CM to announce that Gumasta was not his heir.
Campaigning On The Last Day
Meanwhile, BJP leader Baijayant 'Jay' Panda carried on his campaigning at Talachua in Rajnagar Assembly constituency on Thursday. He held a massive road show that passed through Talachua, Ranguni, Keluapal and Baghamari.
Speaking to the media, Baijayant 'Jay' Panda said, “Enthusiasm among people is high from the very beginning of the campaigning that has been going on for the last two months. This time, people had decided to support the leadership of Prime Minister Modi in Odisha. People want to connect Odisha with the chariot of the development drawn by the Prime Minister in other parts of the country. Our state has lagged behind others. Enthusiasm among people has grown manifold."
He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a rally at Baruan on Wednesday. It drew a massive crowd. The PM gave a strong message that the change has to happen, he said.