Trouble for Naveen Patnaik

After waiting in the wings for several months following the failed bid to oust Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, BJD dissident Pyari Mohan Mohapatra has decided to launch ‘Odisha Jan Morcha’, a platform of like-minded persons, which will work to bring reforms in the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) from within.

The Morcha will be formally launched by Mohapatra on October 19. The reason behind launching of the Morcha, its ideals and aims will be announced by Mohapatra, chief spokesperson of the Morcha Jagneswar Babu told this paper.

Though nothing much about the Morcha is yet to be spelt out clearly by Mohapatra, it is expected to attract BJD dissidents from across the state. Babu, a known Pyari loyalist in the BJD, attended a meeting in the latter’s residence to discuss the issue. Although hinting that several BJD leaders are likely to join the Morcha, he refrained from making their names public. “The names of other office-bearers will be announced by Mohapatra on October 19. Everything about the Morcha will be made public on that day,” he said.

Sources said that leaders who were dropped by Patnaik from his ministry after the May 29 attempt to unseat him would extend their tacit support to the Morcha. They may not expose themselves at this juncture and wait till it became clear they would not get BJD tickets in the next elections.