BJD dissident MP Baijayant Panda has found a friend in Baishnab Parida, a former Rajya Sabha member of the ruling party.
Parida has stated that Panda preferred the media route to vent his anguish over the situation in the BJD as he did not get a hearing in the party.
In fact, BJD leaders have no scope for expressing their views in the party platform, he alleged.
“I have never been given a chance to speak out my grievances any time. Similar might be the case of Panda, who preferred to express his views through twitter and newspaper article,” Parida said while participating in a discussion of a TV channel on Wednesday.
Parida, known to be close to former Rajya Sabha member late Pyarimohan Mohapatra, was apparently unhappy for not getting an extension after expiry of his term in the Upper House of the Parliament.
Parida has since been leading an agitation for use of the Odia language in all State Government works.
Another BJD leader who has extended veiled support to Baijayant Panda is party vice-president and Minister Damodar Rout, who has stated that the views of senior leader Panda for self-introspection in the BJD over its and its Government’s performances “should not be taken lightly”.