Photo: OTV
BJD in damage control after poll debacle
After the poll debacle in the last general elections, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is now facing disintegration in the panchayat and block levels across Odisha. While several BJD leaders continue to switch their allegiance to ruling BJP, the Opposition party is in a desperate bid for damage control.
BJD organisational Secretary Pranab Prakash Das’ area Jajpur was once considered as the bastion for the party. However, with several BJD supported public representatives in the panchayat and block levels joining BJP, the Opposition party seems to be in panic.
Recently, as many as 13 BJD supported Samiti members, eight Sarpanchs and some other leaders joined BJP in Dharmasala constituency in presence of MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo. Similarly, as many as 11 BJD supported Samiti members including the block Chairman and six Sarpanchs left BJD and joined the saffron party in Bari constituency a couple of days back.
Meanwhile, BJD organisational Secretary Pranab Prakash Das has been trying his best to be in a damage control mode by organising meetings at his Jajpur residence with several party supported Sarpanchs and Samiti members.
Similarly, BJD has also faced severe jolt in Keonjhar. Along with Keonjhar Sadar block Chairman and Deputy Chairman, seven BJD supported Samiti members and 15 Sarpanchs have recently switched their allegiance to the ruling party. Earlier, BJD supported 18 Samiti members and Sarpanchs joined BJP on August 2. Similarly, 21 Samiti members and Sarpanchs of Banshpal block joined BJP after meeting Chief Minister Mohan Majhi in Bhubaneswar.
“After coming to power, BJP is trying to hijack power in the panchayat and block levels. However, they will fail in their attempt as everybody has faith on BJD supremo and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik,” said BJD leader Pradip Dishari.
Commenting on the development, Rabi Narayan Behera, BJP MP from Jajpur said, “Hundreds of BJD workers are joining BJP by getting influenced by the ideology of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP is rising. BJD will fully disintegrate in the district.”
While BJP and BJD are trying their best to resurrect their party organisations in the panchayat level, Congress seems to be under pressure.
“People of Odisha are sick of BJD and the party got defeated due to Odia ‘Asmita’ factor. BJP came to power as performance of Congress was not good. However, if we manage to keep ourselves united during the Panchayat election, Congress will emerge victorious,” said Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati.
It has been learnt that even BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik is conducting meetings with panchayat level party leaders to convince them to stay within the party fold. BJD is reportedly trying to strengthen its organisation further in the panchayats where the party supported candidates have emerged victorious.
Meanwhile, as per the political experts, the current situation will compound BJD’s problem further in future.
“Had BJD been an ideology based party, things would not have happened like this. New government is formed in many states across the country. However, this kind of situation is not happening there. BJD was running on the basis of retaining power and as a result many problems are happening,” said senior journalist Rabi Das.
