Bhubaneswar, Sep 8: A storm is brewing inside the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) following a provocative social media post by Shreemayee Mishra, a prominent face in the party’s women’s wing.

Her post, laced with Mahabharata metaphors, indirectly targeted senior leaders, referring to one as “Dhritarashtra” and another as “Duryodhana,” sparking intense speculation and internal unrest.

Shreemayee’s post, which went viral, accused certain leaders of blind loyalty and silence in the face of injustice. “History never forgives unjust kings,” she wrote, suggesting that silence and inaction can lead to disastrous consequences.

Her absence from recent party felicitation events added fuel to the fire, with many interpreting her post as a direct challenge to the leadership of VK Pandian and his growing influence in the party.

The fallout was swift. Leaders from the youth, student, and women’s wings expressed discontent, with several senior figures like Arun Kumar Sahoo, Ashok Panda, Badri Narayan Patra, Bhupinder Singh, and Debashish Samantaray raising concerns over the party’s current direction.

Student leader Harishankar Raut’s recent statement further intensified the debate, hinting at factionalism and dissatisfaction among grassroots workers.

Sources suggest that the internal rift has deepened since Naveen Patnaik’s health concerns became public, with many leaders reluctant to accept the dominance of the Pandian couple in party affairs. The absence of key youth and student leaders from recent events has only highlighted the growing divide.

While efforts are reportedly underway to patch the cracks, the party’s internal dynamics appear increasingly volatile. Shreemayee’s post may have opened the floodgates for a broader conversation on leadership, loyalty, and the future of BJD.