Pratap Jena, Sanjay Das Burma appointed dist observers for Bhadrak, Kendrapara

By Mehendra Darjee

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 2: Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday appointed former ministers Pratap Jena and Sanjay Kumar Das Burma as the district observers.

According to the release, Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik appointed Jena, the MLA from Mahanga, and senior leader Sanjay Das Burma as the observers for Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts, respectively.

The appointment of Sanjay Das Burma has come as a surprise for many as he reportedly sulked for the past few years over his continuous “marginalization” in the party.

Similarly, Pratap Jena’s appointment also came as surprise as he now finds himself caught in double murder controversy. His name figures as one of the accused in the double murder case.

According to political analysts, while appointing Pratap Jena as the observer of Kendrapara district, the party is also trying to send out a message that the party is with him as he has been playing a crucial role in elections as well as by-elections.

On his reaction, Das Burma said, “I’m grateful to party president Naveen Patnaik for reposing faith in me. In the past, I discharged whatever responsibilities he had assigned me sincerely and diligently. I will go the extra mile to discharge the new responsibility.”

On the other hand, the BJP targeted the BJD over the fresh appointment of observers in Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts, saying the party is a party of criminals.

“Though Pratap Jena has been summoned by the JMFC court, he is yet to appear before the court in connection with Mahanga double murder case. To protect him, his call records were not submitted to the court for a year. To further shield him, the BJD has appointed him as the observer of the Kendrapara district. We apprehend Jena will indulge In unlawful activities in Kendrapara,”  said state BJP general secretary, Lekhashree Samantasinghar.

“We failed to understand why the BJD has formed a gang of criminals, instead of a team of politicians. As long as people like Pratap Jena, Dibya Shankar Mishra, Arun Sahu, Samir Das, and Bijay Shankar Dash are in politics, the people of Odisha will keep asking the questions. The people of Odisha will give a befitting reply to them in the coming general elections,” she added.