Discontent is growing among the BJD workers in Subarnapur district after a controversial statement by the district BJD secretary.
According to sources, on the Biju Patnaik birth anniversary held at Tarbha on March 5, BJD district secretary Mana Mishra praised Urban Development Minister Niranjan Pujari for his meteoric rise from a MlA to a Minister to a former Speaker to again a Minister. He stated that Pujari is also expected to be the Chief Minister of the State one day.
Block Chairman Sasmita Mallik while attended the function as chief guest, former Tarbha NAC Chairman Sailendra Sahu, senior leader Brukodara Meher, leader Subash Sethi, BJD Tarbha Block president Hemanta Kumar Sahu, Suryanarayan Sahu, Counsellor Pradip Mahana and Uttara Sahoo were present.
Mishra’s statement triggered a row as many BJD leaders present on the occasion protested it, saying that the BJD workers won’t tolerate if anyone tries to surpass CM Patnaik.
Senior BJD leader Ashok Jena said the statement of the District BJD secretary has given a jerk to the BJD workers and supporters in the district. “We all accept CM Naveen Patnaik as our leader and if anyone wants to bypass or overtake him, we will not put up with that,” he said.
District BJD president Saroj Kampa also condemned the statement of Mishra. Meanwhile, a few of the BJD leaders of the district have decided to take the matter to party supermo Patnaik.