Bhubaneswar: A senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Member of Parliament, Debashish Samantaray, has launched a significant attack, implicitly targeting the ‘Chief Advisor’ (widely understood to be V.K. Pandian) for allegedly manipulating political decisions within the party.
Shri Samantaray’s statement is a rare public expression of internal discord within the BJD. While not naming Shri Pandian directly, the BJD Stalwart accused the ‘Chief Advisor’ of operating outside the democratic framework and exerting undue influence.
Shri Samantaray defended BJD MP Sasmit Patra, stating that Dr.Patra was merely following instructions. “Sasmit Patra is not the villain here. He does not take decisions; he merely follows instructions. The real power lies elsewhere — with the Chief Advisor,” Shri Samantaray told the media.
Shri Samantaray also made a serious allegation of a “big deal” between the ‘Chief Advisor’ and the BJP. He hinted that the recent voluntary retirement (VRS) of a high-ranking official was connected to this arrangement. “Yes, a big deal has happened. The Chief Advisor has made some kind of arrangement with the BJP,” he stated.
These comments suggest a growing dissent within the BJD regarding the influence of the ‘Chief Advisor’ in party affairs.