JAGATSINGHPUR: The district BJD stares at the prospect of desertion from its workers following factionalism in the ruling party. On Friday, nearly 15 BJD leaders of Kujang, Naugaon, Jagatsinghpur, Raghunathpur and other areas joined the Congress.
After the infighting between district BJD unit president Bishnu Das and Excise and Cooperation Minister Damodar Rout, intra-party squabbles intensified in the district. The BJD leaders had also urged party supremo Naveen Patnaik to take action against Tirtol MLA Rajashree Mallick.
Sources said Bishnu Das had allegedly launched a campaign against Mallick accusing her of taking sides with the Congress.
Refuting the allegation, Mallick said a group of party workers are trying to tarnish her image because of her differences with Das. However, Mallick has received support from Excise Minister Damodar Rout, arch rival of Das. Mallick had said the elected representatives, including Zilla Parishad members, who had met Naveen, had threatened to join the BJP.
Meanwhile, district BJP and Congress have been made arrangements to welcome the BJD workers to their fold.
District unit BJP president Upendra Biswal said many BJD leaders have shown interest in joining the BJP.
District Congress president Rabi Mohanty said internal bickering in Jagatsinghpur district would benefit the Congress.
Meanwhile, the supporters of Mallick, including sarpanch and panchayat members, conducted a meeting at Tirtol on Monday blaming Das for creating fractionalism in the BJD. They have threatened to gherao Naveen Nivas demanding action against Das.