Bhubaneswar: Rumours of Kendrapara MP and ex-Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Baijayant Panda joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have gained momentum after the Saturday’s meeting between Panda and former Cuttack MLA Samir Dey (BJP) at the latter’s residence in Cuttack.
BJD leader and Cuttack-Barabati MLA Debasis Samantray said, “A person visiting someone’s house is his personal matter. In this context, Baijayant is free to give his clarification.”
Stating that “who is aspiring for what is a different matter,” he claimed that even if Baijayant contested from Cuttack, it would yield no favourable result for him. “Cuttack is the bastion of BJD,” he added.
Government Chief Whip Amar Prasad Satpathy said that everybody is free to decide on their course of action. “Baijayant has already resigned from the party so there is nothing to comment on his decisions,” he added.
Likewise, Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera also echoed his fellow party men’s reactions and said, “Why should the BJD react to Baijayant’s meets?”
“He has resigned suo motu as an MP as well as from the primary membership of the party,” he added. He pointed out that it would be “improper” to give any opinion as the details of the meeting are unknown.
In a clarification, Dey said Baijayant had been to his house to attend a family function. “I have a personal relationship with Baijayant and his family. I usually visit his house,” he added.
Dey, however, said one should not be surprised if a leader of other party meets a leader of another party.
“Baijayant is a popular leader who has set a trend of dealing with the grievances of the people on priority,” he pointed out.
Asked about the possibility of the former BJD leader joining the BJP, Dey said, “If he joins, our party will take a decision on his candidature for the upcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.” Baijayant would be given a rousing welcome if he decided to join the BJP, he added.
Baijayant was suspended from the primary membership of BJD for “anti-party” activities January 24 this year. Later, he resigned from the party May 28 and as a member of Lok Sabha June 12. However, the Speaker is yet to accept his resignation.