Cuttack, May 28: Senior Odisha politician and former Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray on Thursday launched a blistering attack on the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and former bureaucrat-turned-politician VK Pandian after formally joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Addressing a press conference at his residence at Rajabagicha in Cuttack, Samantaray alleged that he felt “suffocated” within the BJD and claimed he was repeatedly denied access to party president Naveen Patnaik despite considering him his political “guru”.

“I was feeling suffocated in the BJD. The person whom I considered my 'guru', whom I admire and respect the most, Naveen Patnaik, I was never given a chance to meet him. I could not understand the kind of conspiracy that had hatched,” Samantaray alleged.

Claiming that his political career had originally begun with the NDA, Samantaray described his induction into the BJP as a “homecoming”.

“My political career began with the NDA and now I have returned to the NDA,” he said.

Launching a direct attack on VK Pandian, Samantaray alleged that he had openly opposed Pandian’s growing influence in the BJD, particularly after the controversy surrounding the Waqf Bill.

Referring to the episode, he claimed Naveen Patnaik had initially instructed BJD MPs to oppose the Bill strongly, but later party MP Sasmit Patra stated that members were free to vote according to their conscience.

“That was when I went ballistic against Pandian,” Samantaray alleged.

He further claimed that he had personally advised Naveen Patnaik not to allow Pandian to return to active politics after stepping away earlier.

“I told Naveen Babu that Pandian had taken political 'sanyas' and if he returned, it would become harmful for the BJD itself. But he did not listen,” he alleged.

Questioning the functioning of Naveen Nivas, Samantaray asked who was controlling access to the BJD supremo.

“Naveen Nivas belongs to Naveen Patnaik. Who was controlling it that I was not even allowed entry?” he asked.

Taking another swipe at the party leadership, Samantaray alleged that people who “did not even know Biju Patnaik” had been handed control of institutions linked to the legacy of the legendary leader.

He also targeted the Biju Naveen Inspirational Trust and alleged that individuals from outside Odisha had been given control over the party’s affairs and assets.

“Naveen Babu had said Pandian was not his successor. But later events proved otherwise,” he alleged.

“There is now no mother or father figure left in the Biju Janata Dal. Very soon it will become ‘Pandu Janata Dal’,” he remarked sarcastically.


He further claimed that many leaders within the BJD were unhappy and hinted at possible future exits from the regional party.

“There is widespread dissatisfaction within the BJD. I have a strong organisation in undivided Cuttack district and the political fight ahead will now be directly against the BJD,” he said.

Samantaray said that regional parties across the country were gradually weakening while the BJP continued strengthening its organisational base nationwide.

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“There was dissatisfaction within the BJD, even among leaders present at my residence today. Some senior leaders have also said they may soon take a decision regarding quitting the party,” Samantaray claimed.

Notably, Samantaray had resigned from the BJD and his Rajya Sabha membership earlier this week before formally joining the BJP in New Delhi in the presence of senior party leaders.