After BJP, NCP boat rocks in Orissa
Bijoy Mohapatra resigns from NCP
By A.K. Sahu
Bhubaneswar, Mar 19: After L.K. Advani’s BJP which was dumped by the BJD recently, Sharad Pawar-led NCP boat rocked in Orissa on Thursday as its state president Bijoy Mohapatra resigned from the party.
Mr Mohapatra, who really introduced NCP in Orissa, announced his resignation in the evening in protest against central leadership’s decision to have a poll tie-up with the ruling BJD led by chief minister Naveen Patnaik.
“I have been fighting the misrule of the Naveen Patnaik government for the last nine years. How can I have any relationship with a person, against whom I have all along been waging a battle?” Mr Mahapatra said while addressing a crowded news conference here.
Describing the chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik a “serial killer,” he said that Mr Patnaik had ruthlessly destroyed political careers of his one time friends and dumped his ally BJP without any reason. “Nobody having a little sense of self-respect will like to behave any links with him,” he added.
Mr Mahapatra said that he was opposed to NCP having any kind of relations with BJD. “But the Central leadership of the party refused to heed my advice and went ahead with seat sharing talks with BJD. I’m sorry to say the NCP central leadership has sold out his party Orissa unit,” he regretted.
Along with Mr Mohapatra, most of the district presidents and Kendrapara MLA Utkal Parida also resigned from their post. However, Balasore MLA Arun Dey was conspicuous by his absence.
To a query, the beleaguered leader said he would announce his next course of action within two days.
Mr Mahapatra’s displeasure with the central leadership came to the fore when he stayed away from seat sharing talks with BJD on Wednesday and Thursday. As a result of which, NCP national general secretary D.P.Tripathy led the party in the talks with BJD leadership.
Two years ago, Mr Mahapatra introduced NCP in Orissa by merging his Orissa Gana Parishad with the party.
Sources in the NCP said Mr Mahapatra was peeved at the central leadership’s decision to have pre-poll understanding with BJD from which he was unceremoniously removed on the eve of 2000 Assembly polls, despite being one of the founding members of the party.
Since then, he has been fighting single handedly against the BJD president chief Mr Patnaik exposing corruptions in his government. In the process, he earned the sobriquet of bete noire of the chief minister.
“It is yet another attempt by the BJD leadership to marginalse Mr Mahapatra in politics”, said former Lok Sabha member Anadi Sahu.
“Mr Mahapatra’ political career is once again at the cross-roads . How can he strike a deal with someone who is hell bent on destroying his political career?” Mr Sahu questioned.