BJD responds to Odisha minister's comment about their extinction, saying they would win if elections were held today.

In response to Odisha minister Suresh Pujari's statement about the extinction of the BJD party, the Opposition party has accused the ruling party of being plagued with internal conflicts. They also claim that if elections were held at this moment, the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD party would secure a significant majority. Pujari had previously declared that the BJD has no set ideology, which would eventually lead to its extinction.

He was referring to the recent resignation of former Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray from the BJD party, who has now joined the BJP and has been nominated for the Rajya Sabha by-election in Odisha. In retaliation, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty stated that the BJP is facing a leadership crisis, which is evident from their actions of luring Samantaray into their party. He also criticized Pujari for speaking about ideology, stating that it is not his place to do so.

Mohanty further added that the BJP has been constantly changing its stance and now suddenly speaks about ideology. He pointed out how Samantaray, while he was still a member of the BJD party, was one of the strongest critics of the BJP. This shows that the sudden concern for ideology is merely a facade.

According to Mohanty, a recent survey has predicted a sweeping victory for the BJD party if elections were to take place now. He believes that the BJP's fear and instability have driven them to try and lure leaders from other political parties, such as Samantaray. Mohanty also accused the BJP of causing misgovernance and increasing corruption in the two years of their rule in Odisha.

He claims that the people of Odisha are now expressing their desire for former chief minister Naveen Patnaik to return to power. The BJD spokesperson concluded by stating that the people of Odisha will give a strong response to the BJP in the upcoming Panchayat elections next year. He believes that the recent survey indicating the BJD's victory in the Assembly elections and the BJP's defeat only further proves this.