BJD suspensions spark internal dissent within party, Elina Dash raises alarm

A day after BJD suspended two of its MLAs Arvind Mohapatra and Sanatan Mahakud, party leader Elina Dash on Friday launched a sharp public criticism, pointing to what she described as a steady numerical decline within the party. 

Elaborating on her remarks, she stated that the figure stood at 51 earlier, dropped to 50, and has now further declined to 48, signalling concern over the party’s current trajectory.

Though she did not name VK Pandian directly, Elina criticised him in pointed language through a Facebook post. She alleged that due to “servitude”, BJD workers across Odisha are facing difficulties at the grassroots level. She warned that if MLAs continue to act individually and fail to unite, they may eventually learn about their political fate only through press releases and media reports.

Call For Unity Amid Internal Differences

In the same post, Elina appealed for unity while there is still time, stating that Lord Jagannath remains the only hope for the BJD. She also took a veiled jab at Bobby Das, cautioning that unless MLAs come together, internal differences would continue to widen and the number of expelled leaders would keep increasing.

Her remarks are being viewed as an indication of growing unease within the party ranks.

Srimayee’s Post Adds To Disquiet

Adding to the internal churn, expelled BJD leader Srimayee Mishra also targeted the party in her characteristic style. In a social media post, she wrote that when a child is young, a father agrees with everything the child says, even calling a cow an elephant. However, if the father continues to endorse falsehoods after the child grows up, people will only laugh.

As per reports, the post was an indirect reference to VK Pandian, suggesting that BJD chief Naveen Patnaik accepts his decisions without objection.

Party Yet To Respond

Elina Dash’s post reportedly highlighted internal rifts within the BJD, with sources claiming that a pro-Pandian group is allegedly attempting to dominate the party. At the same time, her remarks also called upon leaders to unite and protect the organisation.

Also Read: BJD suspends MLAs Arvind Mohapatra, Sanatan Mahakud for anti-party activities

No official statement could be obtained from the BJD in response to the indirect allegations made by the two leaders.