Senior politician Debashish Samantaray on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and VK Pandian after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He alleged that he felt “suffocated” within the regional party and was denied access to BJD president Naveen Patnaik.

Addressing a press conference after joining the BJP, Samantaray said he originally belonged to the NDA and now felt as though he had “returned home”. In response, the BJD accused him of falling into a “trap” and questioned why he had remained in the party for so long if he truly felt sidelined.

Allegations Against Pandian And BJD Leadership

Samantaray alleged that he was abruptly prevented from visiting Naveen Nivas and claimed that Naveen Patnaik had earlier clarified that VK Pandian was not his political successor.

Accusing Pandian of controlling access to the BJD leadership, Samantaray said, “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.”

Referring to the Waqf Bill issue, he further alleged, “Naveen Patnaik had twice stated during the MPs’ meeting that the BJD would strongly oppose the Bill. However, within an hour, Sasmit Patra tweeted that MPs were free to vote as per their conscience. That was when I went ‘ballistic’ against Pandian.”

He claimed that he had advised Naveen Patnaik not to allow Pandian to return to active politics after taking ‘monkhood from politics’. “If he returned, it would become harmful for the BJD itself,” Samantaray alleged.

He further questioned, “Naveen Nivas belongs to Naveen Patnaik. Who was controlling it that I was not even allowed entry?”

Taking another swipe at the BJD leadership, Samantaray alleged that individuals who “did not even know Biju Patnaik” had formed the Biju Foundation and claimed that the party had failed to honour the legacy of Biju Patnaik. He further alleged that there was now “no mother or father figure” left in the Biju Janata Dal.

BJD Responds To Samantaray’s Remarks

The BJD strongly countered Samantaray’s allegations, stating that the party had provided him with several opportunities over the years.

BJD leader Lenin Mohanty said, “Debashish Samantaray is now happily saying that he has returned to his old home. It is rather good that he left. He failed to understand the situation and got trapped.”

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Questioning Samantaray’s remarks about feeling suffocated within the party, Mohanty added, “If he truly felt suffocated, then why did he not resign earlier?”