Senior BJD leaders disapprove of party chief Patnaik’s criticism

Bhubaneswar: in a virtual defiance of BJD Supremo Naveen Patnaik’s diktat for party leaders holding meeting in Sankha Bhawan only, two senior leaders of the party, have reiterated ‘casual get-togethers’ in a hotel as it was not anti-party activity.
Patnaik had criticised them for holding a meeting in a hotel, and not in the regional outfit’s office, two days ago.
Altogether 13 senior leaders including Mallik and Sahu had met at a hotel on Wednesday which was seen as “groupism” within the party which lost power to BJP in June 2024 after ruling Odisha since 2000.
Mallik, however, said he cannot accept what Patnaik said. “It was not a meeting but a casual get-together. Patnaik was given misleading feedback by some people. Where and when we meet, is a personal choice. No one can dictate us on this,” he said.
Claiming that they are not involved in the antiparty activities, Mallik said that he and other senior leaders are elderly persons having the liberty to meet at will.
“There should not be a restriction on meeting friends in politics,” he said.
Like Mallik, Sahu also said that they are well-wishers of Patnaik and the BJD.
“We had gathered for a breakfast at a hotel. It is obvious that politics will be discussed when political leaders meet. There should be no restriction on meeting each other,” he said.
Sahu said Pandian may be a good officer, but not acceptable as a politician.