Bhubaneswar, Sept 3: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) finds itself in turbulent waters as a wave of internal dissent continues to rise, with senior party leader Bhupinder Singh becoming the latest to voice discontent on Wednesday.

Following critical remarks from Debashish Samantray, Raja Swain, Badri Patra, and Ashok Panda, Singh has indirectly targeted VK Pandian, the influential aide of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, accusing a select few of controlling the party and fueling dissatisfaction.

Singh, a former Leader of Opposition, stated that the party’s direction in Parliament has remained unclear since the 2024 general elections. “When decisions are made by a handful, resentment grows. Ignoring public sentiment will damage the party,” he warned. Echoing Ashok Panda’s earlier comments, Singh emphasized that Naveen Patnaik is not an individual but a legacy of Odisha, and decisions must reflect collective wisdom.

The remarks have intensified speculation about factionalism within the party, with many leaders reportedly unhappy about the growing dominance of Pandian and his close circle. Concerns have also been raised over BJD’s ambiguous stance on key national issues, including the Waqf Bill, which triggered protests and confusion among party ranks.

Youth, student, and women wings of the party are reportedly divided, and Singh’s comments have added fuel to the fire. Responding to the criticism, BJD MLA Romanch Ranjan Biswal defended the party’s position, stating that internal discussions are part of a healthy democratic process.

Political observers note that the rising dissent and public airing of grievances could pose a serious challenge to the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2029 elections. The growing perception of centralized control and lack of ideological clarity has sparked debates across Odisha’s political circles.

As the party grapples with internal unrest, the leadership faces mounting pressure to address concerns, restore unity, and clarify its parliamentary stance. Whether this dissent leads to structural reforms or further fragmentation remains to be seen.

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