Former MLA Prabhat Tripathy openly criticized BJD President Naveen Patnaik’s remarks linking his name to ongoing controversies in a press conference on Thursday.
Tripathy refuted claims about his suspension and alleged expulsion from the party, emphasizing that his suspension was lifted in 2017 and that he actively campaigned for the party in the 2024 elections.
Tripathy accused the BJD leadership of spreading misinformation to divert attention from critical issues, including the Waqf Bill voting controversy. He also questioned the decision-making process within the party, pointing fingers at VK Pandian, who is perceived as a significant influence within the BJD.
Highlighting the dissatisfaction among party members and the public, Tripathy expressed concerns about the future of the BJD. He criticized the party’s handling of key issues and its failure to communicate effectively with its grassroots workers.
The ongoing political drama has raised questions about the party’s direction and leadership, with Tripathy calling for transparency and accountability.
The President of the BJD recently made a statement linking my name to ongoing controversies. He called the national media to announce that I was suspended from the party while the investigation into the chit fund case was underway. This suspension likely occurred to address public sentiment while the case was pending in court. In 2017, the suspension was lifted, seemingly based on the party’s needs at the time. Since then, no further action has been taken against me.
At a press conference, former MLA Prabhat Tripathy criticized BJD President Naveen Patnaik’s remarks regarding the situation. He pointed out that the case is still pending in court. Tripathy noted that the party had invested in various programs in Cuttack while campaigning for the 2019 elections. He also mentioned that during the election campaign, he delivered a speech in a meeting attended by Naveen Patnaik. Since then, he has worked for the party in multiple constituencies for the 2024 elections.
Tripathy questioned how the BJD President’s office could either write about or dismiss him when an important issue like this is still subject to court proceedings. He referred to Pandian, saying it is widely believed that he operates as a second power center within the party. Tripathy highlighted that, in his absence, Pandian had praised him during the 2024 elections for his role in the 2012 Midnight Operation. However, he noted that just yesterday, Naveen Patnaik denied his contributions, claiming he had not been involved with the party for ten months.
Tripathy concluded by stating how unreasonable it is to trivialize such a critical issue, which greatly impacts Odisha, by reducing it to a comment made by Naveen Patnaik.
All the MPs were instructed to vote according to their conscience without an official party whip in the Rajya Sabha. However, the circumstances surrounding the party’s decision have raised questions. If Naveen claims that Pandian has not been part of the party for 10 months, then who actually made that decision? Many party leaders informed President Naveen Patnaik, only for him to state that he was unaware of it. This has led to suspicion that the party’s number two leader may have made this call. If the state president is claiming ignorance, it seems that the so-called second leader might be saying anything to maintain his position in front of Naveen. Following this, some MPs expressed their dissent.
If Pandian had truly not made this decision, then how could he have kept the president in the dark and issued such directives? Sasmit Patra could speak on this matter. If we were directed to vote according to our conscience in the Rajya Sabha, clarity would have ended all confusion. It seems far-fetched for a politician like Naveen Babu to claim that Prabhat Tripathy is no longer in the party. Such assertions serve to create a specific impression about me in the public’s mind. The court will determine my guilt or innocence.
To cover up a previous incident, the state president has resorted to another lie, whether from his office or his political setup, deliberately tarnishing the president’s image. Those who consider themselves the head of the BJD party, in order to protect their own positions, do not hesitate to tell any lies to Naveen Patnaik whenever it suits them.
Naveen wanted to communicate clearly about the Rajya Sabha voting. Senior BJD leaders likely held meetings at various locations to discuss these issues. This discussion should have already taken place. Thousands of BJD workers are eager to know the party’s main objectives. While BJD is a party that believes in secularism, if it failed to defend this principle, what led the party to make the decision to cast a conscientious vote? The public deserves to know.
Prabhat Tripathy’s actions seem to divert attention from the Biju Janata Dal’s walk-off issue and to cover up the broader concerns. In my opinion, Naveen has elevated another leader in this context. Just as a non-Odia candidate was rejected in the 2024 elections, the people will respond to these political decisions.
It has been said that Naveen has not engaged with the party for 10 months. However, regardless of whether he is hiding or not, he is aware of everything happening around him, and the future of the party does not look promising, according to Mr. Tripathy. When certain leaders were in power within the party, they remained silent, but now they are beginning to speak out.
Naveen contested in two seats for the 2024 elections, causing suspicion among the public about whether he would give a seat to Pandian and then step back. Many believed that Pandian would become the Deputy Chief Minister, but which people did not accept it.
Regarding the issue of BJD leader Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak not joining the party, Prabhat Tripathy stated, “The election process is ongoing, so how can I claim that I am not part of the party?” He mentioned that the individual who is speaking out now was previously aligned with Pyari Mohapatra during a late-night operation while he was managing the party’s elections.
Tripathy emphasized that the BJD’s stance is not about personal family matters; it is about the interests of four and a half crore people. He highlighted that the party, a regional political entity, received 45 crore votes. Furthermore, he expressed that there is significant sadness among the grassroots workers of the BJD.
