The feud in ruling BJD inOdisha intensified today with suspended leader Pyari MohanMohapatra terming his suspension as illegal and dubbing NaveenPatnaik unfit to be party president, who retaliated byalleging that some people were trying to stab him in the back.
"He has lost the right to remain president of BJDsince July 10, 2010 according to party constitution. He isunfit for the post of president," Mohapatra, who formed OdishaJana Morcha (OJM) within BJD after being suspended from theparty following the May 29 failed coup bid, told reporters.
Terming his suspension on June 1 as illegal, the RajyaSabha MP claimed that Patnaik had ceased to be BJD president.
"As Patnaik ceased to be president of the party sinceJuly 2010, how can he suspend me in June, 2012?" Mohapatraasked stating that he had not received any formal letter fromthe party on his suspension.
Mohapatra alleged that inner party democracy had beendestroyed and the executive committee of BJD, which shouldmeet at least once in six months as per the partyconstitution, had not met for several years.
"Caucus has developed in BJD thereby giving democraticfunctioning a good bye," he said.
Mohapatra who was dubbed a traitor by Patnaik afterthe May 29 coup attempt, however, said he would talk to thechief minister if he wanted to.
Retaliating at a public meeting in Berhampur, thechief minister said "Some people are trying to stab me in theback and hinder development in the state."
"It is immaterial for me who is with me and who isnot. For me, the four crore people of Odisha are important. Iwant to work for them," the BJD supremo said.
"I may be in power or not but I will continue to workfor the people of the state. I will work to achieve the dreamsof Biju Babu (former chief minister) till the end of my life,"said an emotional Patnaik.