**Bhubaneswar: ** As ruling BJD supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has started reviewing the Panchayat debacle by holding interactive sessions with the newly-elected Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members here at the party headquarters since Sunday (April 2), it had been the turn of Mayurbhanj district on Monday (April 3).
As the performance of the ruling party this time is dismal in the tribal-dominated district paving path for its arch rival BJP to prosper, the BJD supported block chairmen and Sarpanchs attributed the poll debacle to infighting within the party.
A newly elected block chairman from Mayurbhnaj district, Rakesh Kumar Patra, said, “Every party has internal wrangling. In our party there is definitely rift. We admit that it played a pivotal role in our Panchayat poll debacle. But, we’ll mend it in days to come. As our party high command has exhorted us to get united, we will. As had been the results of previous general elections, same will repeat and all seats will be won by our MP and MLA candidates. We’re optimistic.”
A newly elected Sarpanch, Narendra Singh, of the district said, “Today it was discussed how to revamp our party organisation in Mayurbhanj district as the party performed miserably in the recently concluded Panchayat polls. The Chief Minister gave the mantra of rejuvenating our Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Yes there is infighting in our party. It was also discussed today how the shut down spinning mill and other firms be re-run so that the people of our district will benefit. Also was discussed how other industries should be set up to better up the socio-economic status of the people of the district.”
On the contrary, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sudam Marandi in his media reactions claimed, “There is no internal wrangling, everything is okay in our party in the district. Our supreme leader is Naveen Patnaik. Ours is like the five different fingers, but all one and united in the same hand. Hon’ble Chief Minister came here and met all the newly elected PRI members in our district. He advised them all. Odisha has to be taken further in terms of development. Biju Janata Dal has also to be marched forward. If BJD is in power, Odisha can develop.”
Briefing media, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “We had a meeting with the winning members in the Panchayat elections of Mayurbhanj district. We had interaction on what work they wanted in their areas. And I said we’ll have another meeting after six months to discuss what been done.”