Several ruling BJD leaders were distressed over Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ignoring claims of party leaders and handing over the…
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik (PHOTO: TWITTER)
Several ruling BJD leaders were distressed over Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ignoring claims of party leaders and handing over the Rajya Sabha tickets to Soumya Ranjan Patnaik and Achyuta Samanta within hours of recruiting them to the party.
It was natural for aspirants to the disappointed, but several others in the party too were not happy over the nomination of Mr Soumya Ranjan Patnaik in particular.
The grumbling lot feared to speak out, but the disillusionment was discernible. Many senior BJD leaders were hopeful particularly when the CM had categorically stated he would send politicians to the RS.
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In doing so, he had ruled out the chances of cine stars or eminent people from other fields lending hope to aspiring BJD leaders.
A reliable source said at least 100 applicants were there for the three seats. While BJD circles rue the choice of Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, it is clear that the CM has out-thought them and has played his cards well.
With BJD MP Baijayant Panda perceived to join the BJP and stands suspended from the BJD, the nomination of Soumya Ranjan Patnaik is expected to be an effective counter.
The fact that Patnaik owns media houses – TV, newspaper, radio and leads a farmers movement, chit fund depositors movement is said to have prompted the master strategist in Naveen Patnaik to nominate him.
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