Odisha BJP at crossroads over selection of legislature party leader

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Mar 13: 

With only a day to go before the assembly session begins in Odisha, the state unit of BJP is yet to take a call on the man, who is supposed to lead its charge in the house.

While Patnagarh MLA KV Singh Deo was considered the party’s obvious choice for the position of Legislature Party Leader after he resigned from the position of Odisha BJP President; in a dramatic turn of events, last evening he said that he would not be the Leader of the Legislature Party even if the party wants him to be.

Making matters worse, Singh Deo along with Rourkela MLA Dillip Ray and Nuapada MLA Duryodhan Majhi were missing from the Legislature Party & office bearers’ meeting held at state BJP headquarters today.

“We would be very happy if the leadership selects a man with experience. As a loyal foot-soldier of the party, I would like to see KV Singh Deo leading us in the assembly,” said BJP MLA Rabi Narayan Nayak batting for Singh Deo – who earlier held the position of Leader of Legislature Party before becoming the President of Odisha BJP.

Curiously though, while Singh Deo yesterday claimed that he has discussed the issue with the MLAs of his party and the state in-charge, Odisha unit In-Charge Arun Singh today denied having any such discussion with him.

“I am not sure about what he said to the media yesterday. I can tell you that he has not spoken to me. We would sort out the issue when the right time comes. We will take a final call on the position only after the national executive meeting — supposed to be held on March 19 and 20 — is over,” said Singh speaking to reporters today.

He further added that Odisha BJP has already requested Delhi to send observers for the election.