Rourkela: In a precautionary move, the BJP on Saturday removed two mandal (zone) presidents of Rourkela Assembly constituency (AC) and one division president of RN Pali AC to avoid possible sabotage during the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections on May 20. .
They are seen as staunch loyalists of BJP leaders Nihar Ray of Rourkela AC and Jagabandhu Behera of RN Pali AC. The three zones together cover more than 150 polling stations.
BJP’s well-heeled organizational district president Latika Patnaik on Saturday removed Rourkela Mid-Town division president Binder Singh and appointed Kedar Mohanty in his place, reliable sources said. Mid-town division covers Rourkela main road stretches from Uditnagar to Bisra Square. Similarly, Basanti Colony Mandal President Mrigan Goswami was removed and Samarpriya Tanti was appointed in his place. Basanti Colony division covers the areas between Basanti Colony and Telecom Bhawan.
Separately, BJP East divisional president Basant Samal in RN Pali AC was sacked and replaced by Santosh Birat.
The move comes after Nihar, the BJP’s defeated candidate in 2019, gathered his supporters outside his residence in a show of strength on Wednesday evening and openly opposed the candidature of former Union minister Dilip Ray from Rourkela. Nihar insisted that he should have been the BJP candidate as he worked very hard for the party and hinted that he might rebel. BJP insiders said Sundargarh Lok Sabha candidate Jual Oram along with Dilip met a disgruntled Nihar on Friday to vent his resentment, but things did not work out. Incidentally, Nihar is a former disciple of Dilip.
Jagabandhu had reportedly tried to get a BJD ticket after being denied BJP nomination from RN Pali AC. After BJD rejected him he resumed BJP activities as if nothing had happened.
BJP president Latika Patnaik refused to comment on the sudden removal of mandal presidents.
