The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) expressed strong disapproval towards its legislators who defied party directives during the recent Rajya Sabha biennial election, labeling the voting day as a setback for democracy. Emphasizing the party’s foundation on the principles of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, senior BJD leaders accused some MLAs of betraying the party’s ideology by accepting bribes to cross-vote for a controversial candidate. BJD Chief Whip Pramila Mallik highlighted the irony of these legislators invoking Biju Patnaik’s legacy to justify their actions, contrasting it with his steadfast commitment to principles and ethics.
Some BJD MLAs who supported the BJP-backed candidate through cross-voting are now facing criticism for their actions, with accusations that they prioritized money and power over the party’s values. Senior party members pointed out instances where individuals who had previously opposed Naveen Patnaik were forgiven and even supported politically, only to allegedly betray the party for financial gain. Allegations were made against Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for providing shelter to the cross-voting MLAs and claims that significant sums of money were involved in influencing the election outcome.
In contrast, praise was directed at a BJD MLA from Rengali who resisted offers of Rs 15 crore to vote against the party, showcasing loyalty amidst attempts to sway votes. Additionally, former party leader Bijoy Mohapatra was accused of orchestrating a plan to destabilize the regional party, leading to actions by Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik to address the situation. The fallout from the Rajya Sabha elections, where 11 legislators from BJD and Congress engaged in cross-voting, resulted in the victory of independent candidate Dilip Ray, supported by the BJP.
