Internal squabble in the Sambalpur district unit of the BJP came to fore as unit vice president Benudhar Dash brought an allegation before the party’s national general secretary and Odisha-in-charge Arun Singh against president Nauri Naik during a party workers’ meeting held here on Sunday.
Dash alleged that the district president is not informing party workers about various activities of the party, even regarding visit of Central leaders.
With this complaint, state of affairs in the district unit having many top leaders like Suresh Pujari, Jayanarayan Mishra and Surendra lath seemed not going well.
Many top leaders of the district gathered to discuss the future course of action and analyse the poor show of the party in the district. Two other senior leaders Prasanna Mishra and Sarada Satapathy and newly elected 17 Mandal presidents were also present. But at the very outset, Singh expressed concern for the poor leadership and organisational activities in Sambalpur.
The election of the district president was also a major point of discussion. But Singh assured that this work would be completed within 10 days.
While a good number of aspirants has shown interest for the coveted post, a consensus selection is hardly expected, feel political observers.
It is further alleged that a group of the party workers have alleged irregularities in
recent selection of 17 Mandal presidents. They also expressed displeasure before election officer Sajjan Sharma who
visited the district last week. But the election officer approved the list in spite of complains, causing of further displeasure
inside the party.
When the party is bracing up for the coming Municipal Corporation election, the internal conflict worries both Central and State leaderships, said a district-level leader.
When contacted, Nauri Naik said everything was alright in the party. “Every party has such problems, and, if it is there in the BJP, it is nothing new,” Naik opined.