Associates of Biju Patnaik to take on Naveen?

Bhubaneswar: Former associates of Biju Patnaik, who have been ousted by his son and Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik from the BJD in the past 18 years, are reportedly planning to reunite on a common platform ahead of the 2019 elections.  

Naveen has almost shunted out all the founder members of the BJD who he apprehended might pose threat to his position.

Dr Damodar Rout, the latest victim of Naveen Patnaik’s ‘End-Biju legacy in BJD’ agenda, said on Friday that a new platform comprising the original followers of Biju Patnaik was most likely to take shape in the coming days.

“I will try to unite the old Biju associates to fight against Naveen Patnaik who is ruling the state in the name of his father Biju Patnaik. He is quite contrary to his father’s character. While Biju sacrificed his wealth to serve people of Odisha, this man (Naveen) is ruling the state earn wealth.  Naveen is a very cunning politician,” Dr Rout alleged on Friday.

The new platform, which political analysts believe could be a new regional party, might see veterans like Bijoy Mohapatra, Braja-kishore Tripathy, Dillip Ray and Sarat Kar joining hands.

The BJD president Mr Patnaik, on the other hand, dismissed any possible impact on his party in the event of his father’s colleagues get reunited and form a new party.

“I don’t think there will be any impact on BJD if they (the Biju followers) float a new party,” Mr Patnaik said.

The debate over formation of new party has gathered momentum after former Lok Sabha member MP Baijayant Jay Panda met Dr Damodar Rout at his residence on Thursday, a day after Dr Rout was expelled from the BJD after exposing some corruption cases in which some ministers and officers are allegedly involved.

Baijayant had also earlier hinted about formation of a new party.

“I’m in consultation with senior leaders of different parties, my well-wishers and others who love me. I will take appropriate decision with regard to joining any party or floating a new platform at appropriate time,” he had said.

Baijayant was also alienated from BJD for taking on a senior officer of the state government who is said to be “virtually running the state administration and looking after BJD party affairs.”