Ex-BJD MLA Criticizes Naveen Patnaik for Blaming Aide, Urges Responsibility

Former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, made a pointed critique of Naveen Patnaik's leadership following the party's significant defeat in the recent elections. Addressing the media on Wednesday, Soumya Ranjan emphasized that the Chief Minister should not deflect blame onto his aide V K Pandian for the electoral loss but instead take full responsibility and focus on serving the Odisha populace more effectively.

In a surprising turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a victory in 78 out of 147 assembly seats, leaving the BJD without a single win in the Lok Sabha elections. This outcome has sparked a conversation about the internal dynamics within the BJD and the role of V K Pandian, a close aide to Naveen Patnaik. Soumya Ranjan questioned Pandian's influence and his unrestricted movements across the state, suggesting that such power was granted by Patnaik himself.

The criticism extended to the perceived mindset within the BJD ranks, with Soumya Ranjan stating, "In my opinion, slaves cannot run a party." He reflected on the long-standing support from the people of Odisha towards BJD over 24 years, which he believes was not reciprocated adequately by Patnaik, leading to their eventual rejection of his leadership in both assembly and Lok Sabha seats.

Moreover, Soumya Ranjan highlighted an issue with Naveen Patnaik's lack of proficiency in the Odia language despite his long tenure as Chief Minister. This critique adds another layer to the discussion on Patnaik's connection with the local populace.

Soumya Ranjan Patnaik's own political journey has seen significant shifts. He was expelled from BJD in September 2023 due to allegations of anti-people activities and was previously removed from his position as vice-president of the party. Notably, he is also related to Odisha's political legacy as the son-in-law of former Chief Minister late J B Patnaik and holds a significant media influence as the owner-editor of Sambad, a leading Odiya daily.

The electoral defeat of BJD under Naveen Patnaik's leadership has ignited discussions on accountability, leadership style, and party dynamics. With these developments, it appears that Odisha's political landscape is poised for introspection and possibly transformation in response to the electorate's verdict.