**Bhubaneswar: ** As more and more complaints against Kendrapada BJD MP Baijayant Panda are pouring in every passing day relating to his allegedly ‘bypassing’ of local party workers and leaders and ‘monopolistic’ sanctioning of MPLAD funds under his Lok Sabha constituency, BJD supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has already ordered for a probe.
Following such a development, all are now agog to know about the fate of Jay Panda as he has recently spit venom against the party leadership publicly after inaugurating an overhead water tank in Mahanga assembly segment built from his MPLAD funds.
Earlier during a similar programme in Mahanaga assembly segment last year, the party MP had to encounter stiff protest and resistance from his own disgruntled party leaders and workers there. He had even been the butt of stone-pelting and egg was hurled on his forehead in the very presence of police and media lens then.
Much prior to that, Jay Panda had created ripples by his ‘anti-party’ jibes and barbs through his controversial tweets which have already cut a sorry figure for both the regional party and its leader in power.
On Wednesday also, office bearers of BJD and PRI members of Salipur also lodged their complaint in writing to the BJD supremo here at Naveen Niwas.
The complaint letter submitted with the party high command alleged that Kendrapada’s party MP Baijayant Panda has no relation with either the party or PRI members, does not attend any party acitivities nor consult them during sanctioning of MPLAD funds.
“The Hon’ble MP is surrounded by his paid workers of his several business organizations and alots PMLAD funds in some few places on the suggestions of his paid workers and opposition party workers,” they have complained and urged for necessary action against Jay Panda.
After meeting the Salipur complainants, BJD supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told media, “They have given me a memorandum. I have given it to Smt Usha Devi, the observer of Cuttack district to enquire into the matter.”
Speaking to media earlier in the day, BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra had informed, “Day before yesterday our party leaders and workers from Nischintakoili had come. Yesterday also our party workers and leaders had come from Mahakalpada. They have all apprised our party president Naveen Patnaik of their complaints.”
“Our party supremo has already ordered for a probe into the complaints. Our party district observers Usha Devi and Pramila Mallick have been entrusted with the job. After the probe report is received, it would be wise to comment on the action,” the BJD spokesperson said.
On the other hand, Panda’s political secretary, Jyoti Prakash Ghose in a press statement mentioned that the ongoing episode of ‘complaints’ has been orchestrated by a particular group.
“It is an attempt to malign Panda’s image by rumour mongers who have hatched a conspiracy and are spreading calumny against the Kendrapada MP,” Ghose said.
He added that Baijayant Panda is the only MP in India who has toured all the Panchayats of his parliamentary constituency, besides spending most of his time with the electorates.
“We hope Minister Usha Devi and Legislator Pramila Mallick who have been entrusted with the probe, engage in a discussion with the local people of Kendrapada and come up with the truth,” he added.