BJD Faces Setback at Panchayat Level, Seeks Damage Control After Poll Loss

"BJD Faces Setback at Panchayat Level, Seeks Damage Control After Poll Loss"

Following a poor performance in the last general elections, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is experiencing fragmentation at the panchayat and block levels across Odisha. Many BJD leaders are shifting their allegiance to the ruling BJP, leaving the Opposition party scrambling to manage the situation.

Jajpur, once a stronghold for BJD and overseen by the party's Organizational Secretary Pranab Prakash Das, is now showing signs of weakening. Numerous BJD-backed representatives at the panchayat and block levels have switched to the BJP, causing concern within the party.

Recently, 13 BJD-supported Samiti members, eight Sarpanchs, and other leaders from the Dharmasala constituency joined the BJP in the presence of MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo. Similarly, 11 Samiti members, including the block Chairman and six Sarpanchs, defected to the BJP in the Bari constituency.

In response, Pranab Prakash Das has been working hard to contain the situation by holding meetings with party-supported Sarpanchs and Samiti members at his Jajpur residence.

The BJD has also suffered significant losses in Keonjhar. Alongside the Keonjhar Sadar block Chairman and Deputy Chairman, seven Samiti members and 15 Sarpanchs have recently joined the ruling party. Earlier, on August 2, 18 BJD-supported Samiti members and Sarpanchs also switched to the BJP. Additionally, 21 Samiti members and Sarpanchs from Banshpal block joined the BJP after meeting with Chief Minister Mohan Majhi in Bhubaneswar.

"After coming to power, BJP is trying to hijack power in the panchayat and block levels. However, they will fail in their attempt as everybody has faith on BJD supremo and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik,” BJD leader Pradip Dishari said!

Rabi Narayan Behera, BJP MP from Jajpur, commented on the development, saying "Hundreds of BJD workers are joining BJP by getting influenced by the ideology of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP is rising. BJD will fully disintegrate in the district.”

While the BJP and BJD are working hard to rebuild their party organizations at the panchayat level, the Congress appears to be facing increasing pressure.

"People of Odisha are sick of BJD and the party got defeated due to Odia ‘Asmita’ factor. BJP came to power as performance of Congress was not good. However, if we manage to keep ourselves united during the Panchayat election, Congress will emerge victorious,” said by Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati.

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