BHUBANESWAR: The high speculation of an imminent split in the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) turned out to be a damp squib in less than 12 hours with the party MP, Pyarimohan Mohapatra, going overboard to announce in no uncertain terms on Wednesday morning that he was not trying to topple Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who has got the massive mandate.Countering the Pyari storm of Tuesday evening, 84 MLAs and seven MPs met at Naveen Nivas on Wednesday and pledged their support in favour of Naveen, thus proving that the Chief Minister is not in any kind of trouble. Some of the MLAs, including a few ministers, who confabulated with Pyari last night for a possible split to dethrone Naveen, however, switched their loyalties and bent backwards to please Naveen camp.But the failed attempt has exposed the chinks in the BJD and made it loud and clear that everything is not honky-dory in the regional outfit. For the first time in the 12-year history of BJD, somebody successfully raised the issue of lack of inner party democracy.The scene of action shifted from Sahid Nagar, Pyari’s residence, to Naveen Nivas on Wednesday morning where thousands thronged to counter any attempt for a split. Some irate BJD activists even burnt Pyari’s effigy.The day-long drama culminated in Pyari being shown in clear minority while Naveen Patnaik, in his absence, was portrayed as the ‘hero’. Naveen, who is currently on a tour to London, is scheduled to return on Thursday to the Capital.As things stand now, Naveen is well entrenched in his seat with the support of the majority in the BJD.Pyari, who addressed a hurriedly convened Press conference in the morning, wasted no time to clarify that he was attempting to dethrone Naveen. “Some ministers and MLAs came to me to air their unhappiness over organisational issues and it should not be construed as any attempt to dethrone Naveen Patnaik”, he justified and added that over dependence on bureaucrats has made ministers and MLAs feel left out.The Rajya Sabha member admitted that his labour of 12 years has failed as he was the person who gave eight hours a day to build the party. But for the first time, somebody has raised the issue of lack of inner-party democracy, he said.Pyari, however, said there was no meeting of MLAs at his residence last night. “Ministers and MLAs came to meet me in twos and threes as I had given appointments to them,” he said and added that the discussion was on Bharat bandh on May 31 and organisational deficiencies in the BJD. Pyari ruled out any threat to Naveen Government, but at the same time said future cannot be predicted in politics.But the Rajya Sabha MP, who has fallen out with Naveen, was critical about the manner in which the party was being run. Asked whether he was afraid of disciplinary action against him, Pyari retorted, “Who has the guts to expel and suspend me from the party?” and added, “My position in the party is strong as I am with the workers.”Expulsion or suspension will have to be ratified by the State executive of the party which has not met for the last two years and five months, he said. He alleged that a group in the BJD is working against him. Naveen should be aware of them too as they are not his friends either. He admitted that he is no longer consulted by Naveen as frequently as it happened in the past. The Rajya Sabha member said he was never in touch with the Congress to topple Naveen and become the chief minister. Claiming that he has no aspiration to become the chief minister, Pyari said had he wanted the top post, he could have tried long ago instead of waiting for so many years. “I could have tried in 2009 as I had recommended candidates to contest elections in at least 90 per cent of the seats out of which 103 MLAs won and many of whom Naveen does not know,” he said. He said the Chief Minister had called him last night from Rome and enquired about several legislators gathering at his house and he explained that there was no formal meeting and that some MLAs had visited his house only to discuss their grievances and party matters.
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