In the past 4 years, I was targeted and humiliated in the BJD... it was getting untenable to continue

NEWDELHI: Biju Janata Dal’s Baijayant Panda resigned from the party last month, citing the “kind of politics into which our BJD has descended”. In January this year, the party suspended Panda from its membership for alleged “anti-party activities”. In an interview with

Saubhadra Chatterji,

Panda talks about why he resigned and his views on the current government at the Centre. Excerpts: four years, I was targeted and humiliated in the party. Last year, when I was assaulted, Naveen did nothing. It was getting untenable to continue. I am spending more time in my constituency. I have supported many policies of the Modi government as I had been supportive of them for many years. I was against VIP perks, I am a strong supporter of Aadhaar, and direct cash transfer. It so happens that these things have been pushed harder during the Modi government. Some people say I am supporting Modi. I can claim that the government is pushing my policies. But I feel whichever government is there at the Centre, the state must work together with it for better development. I think this government’s policies can be harnessed for Odisha’s benefits. has not built a single barrage in the last 18 years while Chhattisgarh has been building them. But things are deteriorating. For example, NCRB records show Odisha has seen a 50% rise in crime against women since 2014. In infant mortality, we are the second-last among states. Last year in Panchayat polls, the BJD’S seats reduced for the first time since its inception. Although Naveen remains the tallest figure in state politics, the party’s popularity is slipping. Contractors are now the stakeholders of the party. The landscape has also changed with the BJP now a clear number two. In the next election, these things will hurt the BJD’S prospects.