The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
24 yrs later, Naveen welcomes son of expelled leader, now with BJP, into BJD
IN WHAT is being seen as a reunion of ‘Biju Parivar’, BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Thursday inducted Arabinda Mohapatra, son ofbjpleaderbijoymohapatra,one of the founding members of the BJD who was expelled from the party 24 years ago.
Arabinda, a greenhorn in politics, has been actively involved in public-connect exercise in his father’s bastion, Patkura Assembly segment in coastal Kendrapada district, after quitting his corporate job abroad.
“We welcome you to the BJD. Work hard for the district of Kendrapada. You have my blessings and please thank your father also,”patnaiksaidathisresidence.
Addressingsupportersoutside later, he said: “I welcome you all to Biju Parivar. I welcome Arabinda Mohapatra, son of Bijoy Babu, to the BJD. You all continue todogoodworkforkendrapada.”
Although the BJD now conducts most of its induction programmes at the Sankha Bhawan, it headquarters in Bhubaneswar, itsdecisiontowelcomebijoy’sson atnaveenniwasinpatnaik’spresence carries political significance.
Bijoy, a four-time MLA from Patkura between 1980 and 2000, was known to be a confidant of formerchiefministerbijupatnaik, father of the current Chief Minister. He was known to be the most powerful person in Biju’s cabinet between 1990 and 1995 with plum portfolios.
After the death of Biju Patnaik onapril17,1997,bijoywasinstrumental in BJD’S formation and bringing Biju’s younger son Naveen Patnaik to lead the outfit. He, however, headed the party’s politicalaffairscommitteeandopposed most decisions of Patnaik, which is believed to be the reason for his exit from the BJD.
In 2000, when the BJD first fought Assembly polls in alliance with the BJP, Bijoy was dramatically prevented from contesting. Dayafterfilingnominationasbjd nominee from Patkura, Bijoy was busy in party work when Patnaik, as chief of the BJD, cancelled his ticket and announced Atanu Sabyasachinayak,ajournalistand son of a former MLA, as BJD’S official nominee. As things unfolded on the last day of nominations, Bijoycouldnotevenreachhisconstituency to file fresh papers.