Bhubaneswar: Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today lashed out at former minister Bijoy Mohapatra and ex-legislator Prabhat Tripathy for invoking the legacy of late leader Biju Patnaik while celebrating the victory of BJP-backed independent candidate Dilip Ray in the recent Rajya Sabha polls in Odisha.

The Naveen Patnaik-led party has alleged that a few leaders, including Mohapatra and Tripathy, had conspired against Biju Patnaik to prevent him from becoming the Chief Minister of Odisha for the second consecutive term in 1995.

The party also alleged that Mohapatra, Tripathy and some other leaders had hatched a conspiracy against Biju Patnaik to prevent him from becoming the Prime Minister of India in 1996.

Mohapatra, Tripathy had conspired against Biju Patnaik, alleged BJD

“There was a strong wave in favour of Biju Patnaik during 1995 Assembly elections in Odisha and it was almost certain he would become Chief Minister again. However, some leaders, including Mohapatra and Tripathy, had fielded parallel candidates in several places, leading to an unexpected defeat for Patnaik. Similarly, in 1996, there was an opportunity for Biju Babu to become Prime Minister of the country, but some leaders from Odisha, including these two, conspired to prevent this,” alleged BJD MLA Byomkesh Ray in a press conference in the capital city here today.

While slamming Mohapatra and Tripathy, BJD MLA Dhruva Charan Sahu alleged that leaders who once conspired against Biju Babu are now talking about his legacy. According to him, a few BJD MLAs have cross-voted in favour of BJP-backed independent nominee Dilip Ray in March 16 Rajya Sabha polls in lieu of monetary gains. “Now, these MLAs are invoking Biju legacy to escape public anger,” he said.

A conspiracy was hatched to split BJD, claimed party MLA

Sahu also stated that statements by Ray and Shri Mohapatra clearly indicated that a conspiracy had been in place for three months to split the BJD. He alleged that those who all conspired against Biju Babu are now conspiring against his son and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

“Mohapatra and Tripathy were involved 1992 hooch tragedy case in the state. To save themselves, Tripathy engaged in cross-voting at Mohapatra’s instigation in 1996. Angered by this, Biju Babu removed Mohapatra from the post of Chief Whip and suspended Tripathy,” claimed Sahu.

BJD chief whip in Odisha Assembly, Pramila Mallik, also claimed that the MLAs, who had resorted to cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha polls, are now invoking Biju legacy to protect themselves from public outrage.