The intraparty dissensions in the ruling BJD continued unabated with Puri MP Pinaki Misra’s reported remarks against his Kendrapada counterpart Baijayant Panda rattling the party on Monday.
Misra, known to be particularly close to party supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and an intraparty critic of Panda, was quoted as stating in a national magazine article that if Panda has the guts, let him quit the BJD.
Misra has also reportedly said that Panda has been completely isolated in the BJD for his controversial role in the party affairs. If Panda is speaking about intraparty squabbles in the BJD, he should leave the party along with his supporters among MlAs. But in fact, Panda has no MlA supporter, Misra has stated.
BJD vice-president and Minister Damodar Rout told media here on Monday that Misra’s remarks against Panda have adversely affected the BJD’s public image further.
When contacted, Misra, who was in london on a private visit, however, said he has not made such remarks against Panda as reported.