BJD rubbishes the charge, says allegations are baseless

By  Mahendra Kumar Darjee

SAMBALPUR, MARCH. 3: Senior BJP leader and Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra on Tuesday brought serious allegations against the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) accusing the regional party of adopting pressure tactics to bring him into its fold. Joining a local television channel debate themed on the 2022 Panchayat Election results, Mishra alleged harassment in the hands of the BJD and said as many as 70 cases were filed against him just because he refused to join the conch party. The legislator said he got the offer from BJD to join the party when he was placed under suspension by the BJP.

 “The BJD mounted pressure on me using government machinery. Cases were filed against me repeatedly after I refused to accept the offer to join the BJD. I was slapped with 70 cases including murder charges. I was even accused of slaying a person whom I had never met nor knew in my lifetime,” he alleged.

The lawmaker further claimed that the ruling party is forcing political leaders to join their camp through intimidation.

On the other hand, senior BJD leader Rabi Narayan Nanda vehemently dismissed the allegations made by the BJP leader and claimed that the party never ever indulged in such practices.

“Making such blatant accusations does not suit you (Jayanarayan). If cases have been filed against you, the court will verify the veracity of the allegations and ascertain whether you are guilty or not. No political leader has ever brought such allegations against BJD,” Nanda claimed.

“The Opposition parties have also never brought such allegations against the BJD and its leaders. The allegations are completely false and baseless,” he added.