Factional rift surfaces on Naveen Patnaik’s birthday celebration in Cuttack as BJD leaders trade barbs

Cuttack witnessed visible factional tension within the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on the birthday of party supremo Naveen Patnaik on Thursday. The celebration of his birthday turned into a display of internal rivalry, as separate events were organised by different groups of party leaders in the city.

On one hand, Cuttack Mayor Subhash Singh, district president Prafulla Singh, and Corporators reportedly celebrated the occasion by distributing fruits and cutting a cake at an orphanage in CDA, with the participation of several party workers.

Meanwhile, Debashish Samantaray and his supporters observed Naveen’s birthday by distributing fruits to the patients at the Cuttack District Headquarters Hospital.

Speaking to the media, Debashish said that there is only one BJD in Cuttack and not two. He further said that he was an MLA there, and they are celebrating Naveen Babu's birthday. Those who are organising separate programs should be asked which is the real BJD? They don’t have the courage to invite him, and they are of lower level.

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"As per my knowledge, there is one BJD, and the second BJD doesn't exist here. I was a former MLA here, and I am the vice-president of the party. They should be asked who the real BJD is. They don't have the humanity to invite a person like me. They are of a lower level," said Debashish Samantaray.

Reacting sharply, Subhash Singh stated that if the Mayor and the party district president are lower-level leaders, then what does that make him? 

As per sources, today’s program was officially organised by the district BJD in Cuttack. Everyone was present in the program, except Debashish. 

Subhash further stated that he (Debashish) speaks whatever comes to his mind, and the party high command will take a decision regarding his comments.

"That was the party's program. As the party's MP, he can conduct the program anywhere.  An MLA of the party can also conduct the program somewhere. As the party's program, it was naturally conducted in one place. Naveen Babu's birthday is not only celebrated by party members but also by others. If the party's state treasurer and district president are of lower quality, who else is of higher quality? He could only give the answer. I don't want to give any comment about this. The party is reviewing his comments. He is convinced about his feelings, and we will not be able to convince him. The party has certain principles, and we are working as per the principles. His comments are personal, and the party will review them," said Subhash Singh.