The BJP in Odisha suspects that the ruling BJD party is planning to bring Pandian into the Assembly through a backdoor.

Bhubaneswar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha has raised concerns over Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's decision to contest from two constituencies in the upcoming elections. The party's former president, Samir Mohanty, addressed the media on the matter after Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent visit to the state. Mohanty accused the Chief Minister of having ulterior motives for running in both Hinjli and Kantabanji, and claimed that it was a ploy to pave the way for his close aide, Kartik Pandian, to enter the Assembly.

Pandian, who joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) last year, has expressed his intent to not contest in any election but instead support Patnaik's bid for a sixth consecutive term as Odisha's Chief Minister. Mohanty believes that Patnaik's plan to vacate one of his seats and put Pandian up for a by-election is a calculated move that the people of Odisha will reject. He further alleged that the BJD government is indulging in corruption under the guise of its 5T initiative, with the aim of facilitating Pandian's ascent to power.

"The BJD is using this as a strategy to ensure Pandian's backdoor entry into governance in Odisha," Mohanty declared, questioning the party's intentions. In response, the BJD dismissed these accusations, dismissing them as mere propaganda by the BJP in light of the upcoming elections. Party spokesperson Sulata Deo labeled Mohanty's claims as false, baseless, and politically motivated, and accused the BJP of spreading misinformation through their "fake news factory."

"The BJP is unable to think rationally, as they are afraid of repeating their disappointing performance in the 2019 elections. Mohanty is still unable to accept the defeat that the party faced during his tenure as president in the panchayat elections," Deo stated. The BJD stands by their leader, Naveen Patnaik, and believes that his leadership has brought about positive changes in the state. They have faith in the people of Odisha to make the right decision in the upcoming polls.

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