Former Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray has blamed V K Pandian for his exit from the Biju Janata Dal, alleging that he was deliberately kept away from party President Naveen Patnaik. Expressing his anger Samantaray said that for the last one year, Pandian did not let him meet Naveen Babu. He knew very well what his relationship was with Naveen Babu. Samantaray alleged that instead of strengthening the BJD, the focus was on suspending more and more people. He recalled that Naveen Patnaik had earlier stated Pandian was not his successor. But in the name of a trust, the house built by Biju Babu was given to him. This was a grave insult to Biju Babu’s legacy,” he said. Referring to the transfer of Biju Patnaik’s ancestral property to Pandian, Samantaray said that he cannot accept that Biju Babu’s property will go to a Tamil person. He has indirectly signaled that he will join the Bharatiya Janata Party after quitting the BJD, saying that he has received assurances from the Chief of a national party. Expressing hope of returning to Parliament, he added, “If Lord Jagannath blesses me, I will return to the Rajya Sabha again.” Post navigation BJD leaders target Debashish Samantaray after Rajya Sabha Exit, say ‘No Loss to Party’ Supreme Court raps NTA over NEET Paper Leak, says ‘Didn’t learn from past Incidents’
