Bhubaneswar, Sep 30: Former BJD leader Shreemayee Mishra has reignited political tensions with her symbolic and pointed remarks during a Durga Puja visit in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

Indirect Swipe at Pandian!

Without naming anyone directly, Shreemayee invoked mythological figures like Kansa, Mahishasura, and Bhairab, suggesting that arrogance and ego eventually invite divine justice.

“Demons exist in every era—Kansa, Mahishasura, and Bhairab. They have no fixed identity, but when arrogance grows, the goddess takes up arms,” she said after seeking blessings at a Puja mandap in the city. Her comments are widely interpreted as a veiled attack on ex-BJD strategist Vairab Kartikeyan Pandian, also known as VK Pandian.

Bureaucrat-turned politician VK Pandian, a close aide of BJD president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, announced his retirement from politics following the BJD’s debacle in the 2024 Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in Odisha.

‘Arrogance’ In BJD!

Shreemayee’s statement, “The downfall begins with a glance, the target is always clear,” added fuel to speculation. This marks her first public statement since her suspension from BJD following internal disputes and controversial social media posts targeting party insiders.

Interestingly, BJD corporator Ajit Behera came out in support of Shreemayee, stating, “Party leaders must now decide how to identify Vibhishan, defeat Ravana, and protect Sita.” His remarks further hint at growing discontent within the party ranks.

Also Read: BJD Turmoil Deepens Over Shreemayee Mishra’s ‘Fake Monk’ Post Targeting VK Pandian

Past Tensions Resurface
Shreemayee had previously stirred controversy by comparing BJD leadership to Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana, leading to her suspension. She has not renewed her party membership and has openly criticized Naveen Patnaik’s “double standards,” recalling how he dismissed her grievances with the phrase, “It happens in politics.”

With Durga Puja as the backdrop, Shreemayee’s remarks have once again spotlighted the simmering tensions within the BJD, hinting at deeper ideological and leadership divides.