Internal bickering in BJD’s Khurda unit comes to the fore

BHUBANESWAR: Even as BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik launched the party’s Jana Sampark Padayatra on Wednesday, factional fight in the regional outfit has come to the fore from Khurda district.

Sources said heated exchanges broke out after BJD’s defeated candidates from Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency Manmath Routray and Begunia Assembly seat Pradeep Sahu reportedly blamed the party’s observer for the LS segment Shreemayee Mishra for their loss in 2024 elections during a review meeting of Khurda district on Tuesday.

Sources said Routray walked out of the meeting though senior leaders tried to pacify him. Both Routray and Sahu reportedly had heated arguments with Mishra at the meet.

Describing the incident as an internal matter of the party, Mishra said the party president will decide on the differences between the leaders.