The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is reportedly tense over the situation in Barchana and Sambalpur. The party is trying to douse the fire of resentment among workers in Sambalpur with former MLA Raseswari Panigrahi quitting the party.
In Barchana, the party is reportedly witnessing resentment with actress Varsha Priyadarshini getting a ticket in place of sitting MLA Amar Satpathy.
A meeting of the party was held at Sankha Bhawan where Amar Satpathy was absent. Jajpur MP, party’s district observer, and ticket aspirants like Rajnarayan Mohapatra and Janmejaya Lenka attended the meeting which was reportedly called to placate the dissent.
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Rajnarayan Mohapatra said, “We all are united. I joined the BJD unconditionally for the progress of Barchana. All will see the results on June 4.”
Amar Satpathy said, “Our supporters are hurt by this decision. My ticket has been cancelled, but my connection with Barchana is still strong.”
In Sambalpur, the BJD received a jolt after former MLA Raseswari Panigrahi spewed venom against the party.
The BJD had earlier given the ticket to senior leader Prasanna Acharya for the Sambalpur Assembly seat. However, he was later replaced with Rairakhole MLA Rohit Pujari.
Panigrahi said, “I have resigned from the primary membership of BJD and all the posts of the party for the pride and self-respect of Sambalpur. The decision taken by the party is an insult to Sambalpur. The person who was branded as ineligible has been allowed to fight in Sambalpur.”
Rohit tried to downplay the issue and said, “We all see her as a mother figure. We don’t feel affronted if a mother labels her son as ineligible.”
Reported by:
SANJAY JENA , BIBARTAN PANDA , CHANDAN PAIKRAY
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