‘So-called BJD Leaders Have Taken Party to Brink of Extinction’: BJD Leader Amaresh Jena
His most scathing remarks, however, came when he said: “After the 2024 electoral setback, instead of introspection or corrective action, these leaders are focused solely on retaining influence across districts. The party, which once held sway for 24 years, has lost its golden touch. Once, even a mere association with the party meant assured success. But those days are gone”
Bhubaneswar: In a dramatic twist that has sent ripples across Odisha’s political landscape, Amarendra Jena, a sitting corporator of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and a prominent face of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on his own party’s internal leadership.
In a series of pointed remarks, Jena alleged that the BJD is no longer being run democratically and has effectively been hijacked by a small group of conspirators more focused on consolidating personal power than serving the party's broader interests.
Speaking to the media, Jena claimed that five unnamed leaders within the BJD are actively working to sabotage the party from within.
“The party is being misused by a select few who are in a relentless pursuit of power and control. Dedicated workers are being sidelined while authority is concentrated in the hands of just four or five individuals, who operate under the influence of senior mentors,” he said.
Jena went on to criticise these leaders for their blind loyalty to certain veterans, claiming they follow orders without critical thought or concern for the party’s future.
“They are not acting independently. Whatever their mentors say, they follow unquestioningly—regardless of the consequences.”
His most scathing remarks, however, came when he said: “After the 2024 electoral setback, instead of introspection or corrective action, these leaders are focused solely on retaining influence across districts. The party, which once held sway for 24 years, has lost its golden touch. Once, even a mere association with the party meant assured success. But those days are gone.”
In a metaphor laden with finality, Jena warned: “These so-called leaders have taken the party so close to the Bay of Bengal that the only thing left is for it to sink. Internal conspiracies have tarnished what was once a good government. Those who once stood with Pyari (referring to former BJD strategist Pyari Mohan Mohapatra) are now entrenched with Naveen Patnaik. I fear these very people will ultimately destroy the party.”
Jena also accused certain leaders of clinging to power despite electoral rejection. “Some continue to behave as though they are still ministers. They haven’t woken up from the illusion of authority. I caution that voices will rise against those sabotaging the party from within.”
Adding weight to Jena’s allegations, another BJD leader, Biranchi Narayan Mahasupakar, echoed similar concerns. “We are not even invited to party programmes,” he told reporters, expressing frustration over being sidelined. Biranchi emphasised the urgent need to empower youth leadership if the BJD hopes to regain its footing. “Ignoring the next generation of leaders will only weaken the organisation further,” he said.
Both Jena and Biranchi had shown interest in contesting the last Assembly elections but were persuaded by senior leadership to withdraw their candidacies in good faith.
As of now, the BJD has not issued any official response to the allegations made by Amaresh Jena and Biranchi Narayan Mahasupakar.
