Bhubaneswar: A palpable sense of unease has gripped the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) as senior leaders have voiced strong concerns regarding what they perceive as a concerted effort to tarnish the secular image of party supremo, Naveen Patnaik.
The closed-door meeting, lasting nearly one and a half hours, between Naveen Patnaik and veteran BJD leaders Ananga Udaya Singh Deo and Prasanna Acharya, has sent ripples through the party, leaving the pro-V.K. Pandian camp in a state of heightened anxiety.
Sources within the party reveal that both Shri Singh Deo and Shri Acharya, founding members of the BJD, expressed their deep reservations about the unfolding political developments, particularly in relation to the recent Wakf Board issue, which has ignited significant political controversy in Odisha.
The leaders reportedly emphasized the urgent need for Shri Patnaik to take immediate corrective measures to safeguard his long-standing reputation as a secular leader.
“The situation is delicate,” stated a source close to the meeting, “and unless the Supremo intervenes decisively, the party risks irreversible damage.”
The veterans are believed to have conveyed their apprehension that the current trajectory could severely jeopardize the BJD’s standing and potentially lead to its decline.
The secrecy surrounding the meeting, with strict instructions barring entry to anyone else, underscores the gravity of the discussions. While both Shri Singh Deo and Shri Achrya are tight lipped over the talks with BJD Supremo, Pro-Pandian camp is jittery over the meeting, said sources.
The fact that Shri Patnaik, who has been relatively reclusive in recent times, engaged in such an extensive dialogue with the two veteran leaders highlights the seriousness of the concerns raised.
The Wakf Board issue, which has become a focal point of political contention, has seemingly provided the catalyst for this internal dissent.
The leaders’ insistence on immediate action suggests a growing perception that the party’s secular credentials are under threat.
The political landscape in Odisha is now fraught with uncertainty, with all eyes on Naveen Patnaik and his response to the concerns raised by his senior colleagues.
The coming days are expected to be crucial in determining the BJD’s future and the trajectory of Odisha’s political scenario.