The Hindu : BJD dissidents launch forum

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 08, 2003

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BJD dissidents launch forum

By Prafulla Das

BHUBANESWAR APRIL 7. Undeterred by the string of failures in their attempt to unseat the Biju Janata Dal president and Orissa Chief Minister, Naven Patnaik, dissidents and expelled leaders of the party have come together again to carry forward their campaign.

At a huge rally in Rourkela on Sunday, Mr. Patnaik's detractors announced the launching of a new forum, the "Orissa Janashakti", with the former Minister and president of the Orissa Gana Parishad, Bijay Mohapatra, as convener.

They criticised the Chief Minister for his failure in various fronts and termed his leadership "directionless".

A resolution adopted at the meeting said the forum would strive for removal of poverty and unemployment.

The forum would also take up farmers' problems.

The former Union Minister, Dilip Ray, expelled BJD leaders Nalinikanta Mohanty and Ramakrushna Patnaik, suspended BJD MP, Kumudini Patnaik, and the BJD MP from Bhubaneswar, Prasanna Patsani, also addressed the meeting.

The rally was also attended by the president of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha State unit, Sudam Marandi, who declared his support to the forum and criticised the Government for its lack of concern for the tribals.

This is not the first instance where the Naveen-baiters have challenged his leadership.

They had launched a similar campaign in Mr. Patnaik's constituency, Hinjili, in September last and even predicted that Ramakrushna Patnaik would become the next Chief Minister.

After failing in their attempts to remove Mr. Patnaik, the detractors have now set up the forum to stay together.

Another notable development has been the Orissa Gana Parishad leaders joining hands with the dissidents.

Reacting to the development today, Mr. Patnaik said the "main agenda of the group seemed to be levelling allegations against one person".

"I will pursue my agenda of building a prosperous Orissa and I don't know where their agenda will lead them to," he added.

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BJD dissidents launch forum