As the General Elections are approaching fast, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seems to be feverish about roping in leaders of other political parties and cinema actors to his Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in a bid to retain his supreme position in the State’s politics and Government.
In the process, political observers are surprised over Patnaik’s logic in inducting into his party certain elements, who may prove to be costly to his persistently claimed clean image. Besides, his admission of most of the new elements is giving rise to dissidence in the BJD which, though suppressed now for fear of his octopus authority over the party, is in all likelihood to surface after allotment of party tickets for contesting the elections.
His most surprising decisions in this regard include the inclusion of the Champua Independent MlA Jitu Patnaik in the BJD even when his Government’s Vigilance department is probing charges of mining irregularities against the MlA.
It is significant to note that Jitu Patnaik, soon after meeting Naveen Patnaik and joining the BJD, told the media that he has chosen to work under a leader who would give him “protection”. The question raised is “protection” from or against whatIJ
The BJD boss’ decision to draft a former corporate executive of Baleswar in the party fold is also a matter of controversy in the political circles in view of a mining scam hitting the industrial house in which the executive was in an important position during the period when the irregularities took place. Eminent Congress leader of Baleswar Jayanarayan Mohanty recently raked up this issue at a Press conference.
A third entrant to the BJD with the blessings of Naveen Patnaik is a leading film actor, whose brother is known to be under the Vigilance scanner in connection with the mining scam.
No wonder, the BJD supremo’s moves are questioned by many, including sections in his party, who think such new entrants have come under the ruling party’s umbrella for their protection to the detriment of the party’s interests.