Bhubaneswar, Aug 16: Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Arun Sahoo has stirred political controversy with his latest book ‘Saita Sata’, which indirectly critiques the party’s top leadership and questions its internal dynamics. Without naming any individuals, Sahoo’s writing appears to target the influential Pandian-led leadership circle within the BJD, raising eyebrows across Odisha’s political spectrum, political pundits said.

In the book, former Odisha Minister Sahoo emphasizes the need for courage--not just to speak the truth, but to hear it. “It takes more courage to listen to the truth than to speak it,” he writes, suggesting that the party’s leadership must be open to honest introspection. He also warns against arrogance and blind loyalty, stating that misplaced pride can derail one’s path and distort the party’s values.

The book, which blends personal reflection with political commentary, has created ripples within the BJD. Political analysts believe Sahoo’s indirect references to VK Pandian and the growing influence of bureaucratic leadership within the party signal internal dissent. His critique of “falsehood being used to preserve prestige” is seen as a veiled attack on the party’s current functioning.

Sahoo’s move echoes past incidents where former BJD leaders like Pradip Panigrahi, Bhatruhari Mahtab (Now both are BJP MPs) and Soumya Ranjan Patnaik faced consequences for challenging the party line. Now, his book has added fuel to speculation about ideological rifts within the BJD.

Political commentator Akshay Sahu noted, “This book isn’t just literary work, it’s a coded message. Arun Sahoo, a five-time MLA from Nayagarh, is asking the party to reflect before it fractures.”

While the BJD has not issued an official response, insiders suggest that the book has unsettled many within the party ranks. Whether this leads to disciplinary action or internal reform remains to be seen.

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