Are allegations against MP Jay Panda too alike to be true?

Bhubaneswar: Soon after BJD MP Baijayant Panda raised the issue of a ‘corrupt govt official’s’ interference in politics, it seems to have triggered a pattern wherein with each passing day a new block-level party leader from the Kendrapara constituency is seen crowing the same allegation of parliamentarian neglecting party workers. Such is the coherence that it seems more a stage-managed trap having little connection with the truth.

First Nischintakoili, then Mahakalpara and today Salepur. Groups from these blocks of the Kendrapara constituency one after the other have approached the BJD president and CM Naveen Patnaik to bring almost similar allegations against Baijayant. Many believe that these are deliberate efforts on the part of a few party members to attack Baijayant.

On the other hand, Naveen, after hearing the allegations of his block chairpersons and vice-chairpersons, has appointed district observers Pramila Mallick and Usha Devi to conduct a probe, leaving too much room for speculations over the impartiality of the probe.

“I got the message yesterday only and I can tell something only after I conduct a probe. However, if such infighting continues within the party it will send a wrong message,” said BJD’s Cuttack district observer, Usha Devi.

“Whatever inquiry is done it will be impartial and a report will be submitted to the CM after holding discussions with all the concerned parties,” said BJD’s Kendrapara district observer, Pramila Mallick.

Last year in May, Baijayant was attacked with eggs and stones. A report was submitted after inquiry by Usha Devi. However, no action was taken. Hence, many don’t rule out the current inquiry as an eyewash.

Amid such factors in play, Baijayant’s political secretary has termed the allegations against the parliamentarian a conspiracy.

“All the allegations are baseless and it is a political conspiracy. Such allegations are being brought at the behest of a few people,” said Baijayant’s political secretary, Jyoti Prakash Ghose.

“A probe has been ordered and we should all wait till the report is out. As it’s an internal matter of the party, the party president will obviously take a decision,” said BJD spokesperson, Sasmit Patra. 

https://youtu.be/inz-AlPtvhA