Unrest brews in BJD over Youth Wing appointments in Odisha’s Cuttack

A wave of discontent surfaced within the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday, following the announcement of office-bearers for its youth and student wings (BYJD and BCJD, respectively) in Cuttack district. The issue has sparked internal criticism, with party leaders alleging unfair exclusions and organisational manipulation.

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Reacting strongly, newly appointed vice-president Suman Behera said injustice has been done to committed student and youth leaders who have struggled and faced challenges for the party over the years. He alleged that a few vested interest groups deliberately removed the names of several deserving leaders, warning that such actions could harm the party’s future. Behera stated that the matter would be brought to the notice of the party supremo.

Suman Behera also expressed concern that leaders from outside the district were given key responsibilities in Cuttack, while local leaders associated with figures like MP Debashish Samantaray and MLA Devi Ranjan Tripathy were excluded from the final list. Calling the move painful and intentional, Behera emphasised that the party must respect grassroots workers.

“Cuttack is a land of people believing in their self-respect. The party (BJD) leadership had previously committed a mistake in 2024 and planted an outside leader in the district. He was later rejected by the Cuttack residents. They had proved that Cuttack will not compromise at all, and its people do not believe in sycophancy-based politics. Those who have been still battling with BJP and are strengthening BJD in the district, their names are not in the list,” Suman Behera said.

“A leader from Bhadrak district has been planted in Cuttack instead,” the local leader alleged.

Worth mentioning, a meeting of BJD leaders—both youth and senior members—was held on Sunday at a farmhouse in Telenga Pentha, Cuttack, to discuss the growing dissatisfaction and future course of action.

The list of BJD office-bearers was announced a day before yesterday.