The truth behind Koraput MP Jayaram Pangi’s sudden unwillingness to contest the next elections is now out in open. He has apparently opted out of the electoral race under the specious plea of ‘illness’ only to make way for his son Ashok Pangi to get into his shoes.
The BJD leadership’s reported move to replace Pangi with his son has led to a virtual revolt in the BJD’s Rayagada district unit.
Tribal Affairs Minister lalbihari Himirika on Wednesday sent a fax to party president Naveen Patnaik making it clear that he would not contest the elections if any member of Pangi’s family is fielded in the incumbent MP’s place.
Moreover, the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Councillors of the Rayagada Municipality have threatened to go a step further and resign from the party together if the leadership goes ahead with Pangi’s move.
Naveen Patnaik had reportedly asked BJD district chief N Bhaskar Rao to make a ‘discreet’ inquiry as to how the move to give the BJD ticket for Koraput lok Sabha seats would go down with the local unit of the BJD.