Suspended BJD leader Sreemayee Mishra targets Naveen Patnaik over Nuapada Bypoll candidate

Suspended Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Sreemayee Mishra on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the party and its leadership, Naveen Patnaik, following the announcement of Snehangini Churria as a candidate for the upcoming Nuapada bypoll.

Taking to her social media handles, Mishra alleged that the decision reflects a ‘Delhi Deal’ and undermines the sentiments of local party workers and loyal BJD supporters.

In a strongly worded post, Mishra criticised the party’s move to field Snehangini Chhuria, a candidate from outside the district, referring to her as a ‘defeated candidate’ who had lost her traditional seat in Bargarh by over 29,000 votes in the last election.

She further went on to claim the nomination was a conspiracy and was orchestrated in Delhi last week to ensure BJD's decline in Nuapada.

Also Read: Naveen Patnaik announces Snehangini Chhuria as BJD candidate for Nuapada by-election

Further, Mishra alleged that members of BJD’s core team met a key political figure—reportedly the mastermind behind the so-called ‘Delhi Deal’—at Naveen Niwas, where a list of potential candidates was handed over.

"Is this not an insult to thousands of loyal BJD workers and Biju Babu followers in Nuapada?" she questioned. Mishra questioned the rationale behind denying a local face the ticket and giving preference to an outsider.

She went on to say that the same ‘non-Odia’ individual, allegedly responsible for the end of BJD’s 24-year rule, is now being empowered again—this time through a deliberate strategy to make the party finish in third place in Nuapada.

The statement has sparked fresh controversy within the party ranks, with many awaiting an official response from the BJD leadership.