The dissent in the BJP camp is out in the open after its Bargarh district president Narayan Sahu and his supporters have been left dissatisfied with the joining of former BJD MlA Ashok Panigrahi in the party ahead of the Bijepur by-poll and the talk that he may be fielded as the nominee.
The absence of the district president in the much hyped ‘Mishran Parba’ of the BJP on Monday where all the party heavyweights were present to welcome Panigrahi amply makes it clear. Though the party successfully made Panigrahi to hold a lotus in his hand, it couldn’t keep the district president of the party happy.
Meanwhile, Sahu keeps his mobile switched off and has not cleared his next course of action.
However, during a short conversation on Tuesday, Sahu said, “I have not left BJP as of now. But I am interested to leave the post of the district president.”
He further said that he would continue in the party as a disciplined worker.
But the party seniors are still doubtful of his statement since a highly hurt Sahu can go up to any extent since he was personally interested to contest the by-election from Bijepur because of his long attachment with the party and also his immense contribution for victory in the Zilla Parishad election.
Moreover, he also personally objected to the decision of the party to bring Panigrahi to the BJP as he was a hardcore anti BJP politician from the beginning of his political career.
However, the national secretary of BJP Suresh Pujari has denied all speculations.
“The loyalty of Narayan Sahu towards BJP is beyond doubt.
He will definitely continue as a BJP leader in the district,” Pujari boasted. “Rather a dozen of BJD senior leaders including few MlAs are waiting to join BJP.
But the anti defection law coming in their way,” Pujari mantained.
But still there are many leaders in district who are also dissatisfied with the decision of the party seniors to bring Panigrahi to the BJP fold.
“We always claim that ours is a party with a difference. But taking Giridhar Gamang, Jayaram Pangi and finally Ashok Panigrahi to the party hardly differentiates us from any other,” a few said.
But the supporter of Panigrahi who again didn’t want to be quoted, said where was Sahu before joining the BJP.
“Was he not a BJD memberIJ” they asked.