Time now for new leaders to take charge: BJD’s Pritiranjan Ghadei

Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders from Jajpur assembled at the Bhubaneswar residence of veteran leader Pramila Mallick on Tuesday, as internal party tensions escalated following the sudden suspension of two leaders, sparking intense political discussions on leadership and the party’s future.

Those present in the closed-door meeting included Pranab Prakash Das, Pranab Balabantaray, Pritiranjan Ghadei, Rajnarayan Mahapatra, MLA Biswaranjan Mallick and Sujata Sahu. The gathering has drawn attention amid visible unrest within the party ranks.

Suspensions Trigger Political Churn

The political temperature within the BJD has risen sharply after the abrupt suspension of Arvind Mahapatra and Sanatan Mahakud. In this backdrop, the meeting of Jajpur leaders is being viewed as significant, fuelling speculation about internal differences and future strategies within the party.

Ghadei’s Sharp Remarks on Leadership

After the meeting, senior BJD leader Pritiranjan Ghadei made strong remarks, signalling that all is not well within the party. He stated that the time has come for new leadership to take charge. Taking an apparent swipe at senior figures, Ghadei remarked that those who once projected themselves as “tigers” have now been exposed as “paper tigers”.

He further warned that the absence of new leadership could have a direct impact on the upcoming panchayat elections.

Signals of Unease Within the Party

The meeting and the statements that followed underline growing unease within the BJD. As internal debates intensify, the coming days are expected to be crucial for the party’s organisational direction and electoral prospects.