Bhubaneswar, Mar 1: The number of dissidents in the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) seems getting larger with each passing day ahead of the ensuing general elections.

The visit of more than one MLA aspirant along with their supporters from different Assembly constituencies to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's residence 'Naveen Niwas' also indicates the prevalence of internal squabbling in the party.

Bhubaneswar Madhya MLA Ananta Narayan Jena has also a rival in his party. Corporator Amaresh Jena along with his supporters reached the Naveen Nivas today to claim a ticket for the Bhubaneswar Madhya seat.

"All have independent opinions. One, who aspires to go a step ahead, has come to apply. All people who aspire to march forward have come," said Amaresh Jena.

Similarly, Surendra Sethy along with his people from the Kakatpur Assembly constituency came to the Naveen Niwas against incumbent MLA and Minister Tushar Kanti Behera.

"I had worked for the party from 2014 to 2019. Even after I was denied a ticket, I followed all directions of the party," said Sethy.
Pradeep Sahu from Begunia reached the Chief Minister's residence to claim a party ticket for the Assembly seat.
"Begunia a stronghold of BJD. Party candidates have their own three times. I hope to fight the Assembly election this time," said Sahu.

On the other hand, in Bhadrak and Patnagarh constituencies, internal fighting in the BJD has taken an acute form. While Asit Patnaik has emerged as a new aspirant against MLA Sanjeev Malik in the Bhadrak constituency, Simulia MLA Jyoti Panigahri has got Ganesh Mahapatra as his contender.

The BJD seems to have divided into two groups in Patnagarh. While MLA Saroj Meher has his group, another group led by Sibanand Parichhha has emerged here.

While dissident leaders have already shown their strength, the recent visit of multiple contenders of the BJD for any given constituency has fueled discussion.

"The bypoll-winning history of the BJD was destroyed in Dhamnagar due to dissident Raju Das. Now BJD faces Raju Das Syndrome in many constituencies. Can the supremo manage the dissidents before elections," asked Many.

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