Suspended BJD leader Shreemayee Mishra targets nepotism, continues indirect digs at party leadership

Suspended Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Shreemayee Mishra has once again stirred debate within the party through a series of social media posts, indirectly targeting the party leadership and veterans.

Less than a week after her suspension from the BJD, Mishra spoke on nepotism in politics, hinting at the accountability and the treatment of party members.

Nepotism In Focus

In her latest social media post, Mishra addressed the issue of nepotism, describing it as a social and political practice that prioritises personal relationships over merit and talent.

She wrote that such practices deny opportunities to deserving individuals across sectors, including politics, education, employment, and the arts. According to Mishra, those who advance through hard work and capability are often sidelined due to nepotism, which in turn fosters dissatisfaction, inequality, and unfairness within society.

While Mishra did not name any party leaders directly in her post, her statements were widely interpreted as a critique of senior figures in the BJD.

Internal Election System Under Scrutiny

Earlier on August 28, Mishra raised concerns about the BJD’s internal election process, particularly the way office bearers, including the party president, are chosen.

She pointed out that the absence of a unique identification system for members, similar to the EPIC number used in public elections, undermines the legitimacy of the voting process.

Mishra argued that without such a system, internal elections cannot be considered fully sanctioned and are vulnerable to manipulation. Her remarks emphasised the need for transparent procedures to ensure fairness and accountability in the selection of party office bearers.

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Symbolic Critiques And Growing Party Discord

In addition to her direct observations, Mishra made symbolic references, including references to characters from the Mahabharata, to critique party leadership and governance.

Her comments have reignited discussion about internal rifts in the party. Several senior leaders, including veteran MP Debashish Samantaray, are reportedly distancing themselves from the party, although BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik has not publicly addressed the growing internal discord.