Debashish Samantaray refuses ‘bureaucratic rank’ in party

Rift inside Biju Janata Dal (BUD) was again out in the open as Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray refused to accept the post in the rank of vice president of the party's senior citizen cell, protesting the "bureaucratic style" of appointment.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

In a letter to the BJD president, Naveen Patnaik, Monday, Samantaray said, "I fail to understand what 'in the rank of vice president really means. Besides sounding bureaucratic, such a designation is demeaning and humiliating. I doubt that there is any place for loyalists of legendary Biju Babu or your loyalists, who have stood like a rock behind your long and illustrious political career."

Noting that the BJD has now adopted a new line of thought, ideology and action deviated from the Biju legacy, Samantaray said he feels rather disappointed despite unflinching loyalty to the party and its president. "Not merely for me, but for the thousands of workers of the BJD, you still remain our only hope for the future. I am sure under your leadership, we will regain the confidence of millions of people of our state," he said in the letter.