a wave of internal dissent following the recent selection of district presidents in Rayagada and other districts. Former MPs N. Bhaskar Rao and Lal Bihari Himirika have resigned from the party, citing dissatisfaction with leadership decisions. In a symbolic move, they have launched a new political outfit named Biju Swabhiman Manch, invoking the legacy of Biju Patnaik to promote regional pride and development.

BJD Factionalism Spreads
The internal dissent within the BJD isn’t limited to southern Odisha. In Balasore, tensions have escalated between factions led by Shashi Sahu and Sukanta Nayak. A recent controversy erupted when Nayak referred to BJD candidate Subhasini Sahu as a “Siberian bird” during a public meeting, drawing sharp reactions from her husband and party leader Shashi Sahu. The incident has deepened divisions within the local unit of the party.

Student Wing Under Fire
In another flashpoint, BJD corporator Ajit Behera publicly criticized the appointment of Ipsita Sahu as student wing president, accusing the party of ignoring grassroots voices. Former MP Tathagata Satpathy added fuel to the fire, stating that BJD’s “expiry date” has arrived, hinting at a leadership crisis.

Leadership Under Scrutiny
The growing discontent has led several senior leaders—including Raja Swain, Debasish Samantaray, Badri Patra, Ashok Panda, Prafulla Mallik, Bhupinder Singh, and Srimayi Mishra—to question the alleged control of the party under former bureaucrat V.K. Pandian. Their concerns have reportedly created ripples within the BJD camp.

With multiple resignations, factional clashes, and the emergence of a new party, the BJD’s stronghold in Odisha appears increasingly vulnerable with each passing day.

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