There is an undercurrent against BJD in Odisha; who is actual leader of BJD, questions BJP's LS candidate Aparajita Sarangi

After being re-nominated by the BJP to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Bhubaneswar, senior leader Aparajita Sarangi on Monday targeted the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

Taking a swipe at BJD, Sarangi said, “There is an undercurrent against BJD in Odisha. People are asking who is the actual leader of BJD and who is ruling Odisha? When BJD wants to get votes, they show the face of CM Naveen Patnaik. But another person is ruling the State.”

Exuding confidence on BJP's performance, Sarangi said that her party will win more than 15 Lok Sabha seats out of 21 in Odisha. The BJP is going to form the government in Odisha as well,” she said.

Thanking her constituents and the BJP’s central leaders for nominating her again from the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency as the party's candidate, Sarangi said, “The Central leadership trusted me for another term. My work and performance in my Constituency were liked by them. I would like to thank all the constituents of Bhubaneswar. Without their love and affection, I would not have got this ticket. PM Narendra Modi is immensely popular in Odisha. 4.5 crore Odias trust his character and vision.”

Meanwhile, incumbent Kalahandi MP and BJP leader Basant Panda welcomed the decision by the party to not give him a Lok Sabha ticket this time.

“The decision was taken in a meeting by the party leaders and office bearers. I welcome the decision. I am a disciplined worker of BJP and always remain so irrespective of the position or role I am given. Change is the rule of the world and we are all tied with this rule. There is nothing to pose any question in this regard,” Panda said.

On the other hand, the BJP leaders in Odisha who have been nominated to fight Lok Sabha elections from their respective seats have started their campaigns.

BJP on Sunday announced the list of candidates for 18 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha.

While the saffron party has fielded Dharmendra Pradhan from the Sambalpur seat, Baijayant Jay Panda has been fielded from Kendrapara. Similarly, the party has fielded Aparajita Sarangi from Bhubaneswar, Jual Oram from Sundargarh, Sambit Patra from Puri, and Pratap Sarangi from Balasore.

BJP is yet to declare candidates for three LS seats—Cuttack, Jajpur and Kandhamal.