BJD Slams Debashish Samantaray Over Switch to BJP, Calls It ‘Political Betrayal’

Bhubaneswar, May 28: The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on former party leader Debashish Samantaray following his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing him of abandoning the regional outfit for personal and business interests.

Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, BJD spokesperson and media coordinator Dr. Lenin Mohanty alleged that Samantaray’s move to the BJP was motivated by political opportunism and personal gains.

“Debashish Samantaray enjoyed several positions and privileges during the BJD government. While remaining in the party, he expanded his family business interests and never hesitated to praise BJD president Naveen Patnaik. Now, after the party moved to the Opposition, he has suddenly started criticising it,” Mohanty said.

The BJD leader asserted that Samantaray’s political identity and public recognition were built entirely under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik.

Reacting to Samantaray’s statement that he had “returned home” after joining the BJP, Mohanty claimed that the saffron party itself was facing internal conflicts in Odisha. He alleged that differences had emerged between Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Mohanty also referred to controversies surrounding the alleged NEET paper leak and irregularities in CBSE examinations.

Highlighting Samantaray’s political journey, Mohanty said the former leader had contested elections five times on BJD tickets and was elected MLA on three occasions.

“Even after electoral defeats, Naveen Patnaik continued to support him by appointing him as Chairman of the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) and later nominating him to the Rajya Sabha. Despite receiving everything from the party, his personal ambitions were never satisfied,” he alleged.

Mohanty also criticised Samantaray for allegedly making derogatory remarks against the BJD after joining the BJP.

“On one hand, he claims to respect Naveen Patnaik, while on the other he attacks the BJD. Such remarks reflect political immaturity,” he said.

The BJD spokesperson further alleged that despite invoking the legacy of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, Samantaray had previously criticised Biju Babu as well.

Warning of political consequences, Mohanty said the people of Odisha would give a “fitting reply” to Samantaray for his political shift and criticism of the BJD leadership.