BJD MP Claims BJP Trying To Engineer Split In The Regional Party
Creating ripples in the political corridors of Odisha, a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP on Monday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to split the regional party.
Tathagata Satpathy, Lok Sabha MP from Dhenkanal, in a series of Tweets said the BJP was trying to engineer an AIDMK-style split in the BJD with an aim at an early election in Odisha along with Rajastan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Satpathy tweeted:
Without naming anyone, Satpathy said a party MP may swing the deal for the BJP.
Satpathy’s allegations came ahead of the BJP National Executive Meet in Bhubaneswar scheduled for 15-16 April. It could be noted that Bhubaneswar has been chosen as the venue for the BJP National Convention after two decades.
Meanwhile, the BJP has rubbished the allegations by Satpathy. BJP national secretary Suresh Pujari said:
<i>“BJP builds its own organisation. We never create rift among others.”</i>
The BJD has, however, officially distanced itself from Satpathy’s comments. “The BJD is united under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik,” said BJD spokesperson Pratap Keshari Deb.