Bhubaneswar: Baiajyant Panda, BJD MP from Kendrapara, has denied reports in a section of the national media that he is all set to join the BJP.
Responding to a ‘super exclusive’ report broadcast on the newly launched Republic TV titled ‘Jay Panda joining Team Shah’ today, the office of Panda said; “We are not aware of any such development. Moreover, Honourable MP Baijaaynt ‘Jay’Panda is presently in the UK as an international election observer on behalf of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Mission.”
In its special programme aired today, Republic TV, the channel headed by Arnab Goswami which is a broadcast partner of Jay Panda’s OTV, claimed the Kendrapara MP has already made up his mind to jump onto the lotus pond following serious differences with party chief Naveen Patnaik.
While it’s an open secret in Odisha that there is no love lost between BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda and speculation has been rife for sometime now about his tilt towards PM Modi and BJP, this was the first time the national media has taken note of it.
Of late, Jay Panda has been very critical of BJD and its leaders and has faced stiff opposition from MLAs of his own party in his own constituency, namely Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and Pratap Jena. He is frequently found supporting PM Modi and BJP, which has not gone down well with the BJD top brass.
After the egg attack on him by his own party leaders in Mahanga recently, he has received tremendous support from BJP leaders, both in the State and at the Centre. Observers believe it is just a matter of time before he ends his association with BJD and joins the BJP..
Kalinga AI