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Bhubaneswar, Nov 4 (IANS) A political war of words broke out between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the main opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday after BJD president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made a veiled attack on the ruling party and its candidate for Nuapada bypoll Jai Dholakia during a public meeting in Komana.
During his campaign speech, the BJD supremo and leader of the opposition alleged that there was resentment among the people of Nuapada over what he termed a betrayal by the BJP towards the BJD and himself.
He also accused the BJP of stealing votes and horse trading of the opposition party candidate in an indirect reference to Jai Dholakia joining the BJP.
Reacting sharply to Naveen Patnaik’s attacks, several BJP leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and party candidate Jai Dholakia, hit back at the BJD chief over allegations of betrayal.
Jai and his mother, Kalpana Dholakia – widow of late BJD leader Rajendra Dholakia, whose death on September 8 necessitated the bypoll in Nuapada Assembly constituency – on Sunday accused the BJD of neglecting Rajendra Dholakia despite his lifelong dedication to the party.
Kalpana Dholakia alleged, “My husband worked dedicatedly for the BJD for almost 24 years. Even in the last days of his life, when he was battling illness, no one from the party asked about his health or provided any help. Despite devoting 24 years, the neglect and silence by the party hurt him deeply.”
Criticizing BJD, Kalpana said attacking the son of a person who dedicated 24 years to the party is neither decent nor sensible politics.
Meanwhile, BJD general secretary Lekhshree Samantasinghar condemned the comments made by Jay Dholakia and his mother against the BJD president, calling them “unfortunate and devoid of truth”.
He said it is unacceptable that someone who switched parties for personal gain is now making baseless allegations against BJD.
–IANS
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