Anandapur: Even as the heat in the ruling BJD triggered by the expulsion of former Lok Sabha MP Baijayant Panda and Paradip MLA Damodar Rout is yet to cool down, a fresh slugfest has begun over the recent remarks by Rajya Sabha MP Soumyaranjan Patnaik.
Patnaik, in a controversial statement, said Debashis Patra, son of school and mass education minister Badri Narayan Patra, should have been arrested much earlier.
A few days back, Debashis was arrested for his alleged involvement in some cases.
On the other hand, Badri Patra had got a cabinet rank after he was elected as an MLA from Ghasipura constituency with a big margin. He was rewarded with plum portfolios such as school and mass education and science and technology. Patra also wields significant influence in the constituency.
Political analysts reckon Badri’s presence has turned out to be a stumbling block on the way of OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik, the brother of MP Patnaik, who eyes to grab the seat in coming polls. This is one reason, the MP is trying to tarnish the image of the minister to gain some ground for his brother, said political pundits.
Minister Patra also seized the opportunity to advise the MP to observe ‘Rajadharma’.
While attending the annual festival of Anandapur Press Club, Patra Monday said Patnaik joined BJD to boost his business and help his elder brother who is also the state chief of the Congress party.
Patra further alleged that though Soumya is in the BJD, he is trying to expand the vote base of Congress in Ghasipura Assembly segment as well as in Keonjhar district.
PNN