BJD to hold Mahasamavesh in Berhampur

Ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) would organise a large public meeting ‘mahasamavesh’ in the city on Friday, which would be attended by party supremo and Chief Minister (CM) Naveen Patnaik. The day of this show of support strength by the CM and its party coincides with the day that is waited for by the media and public in Odisha. On that day suspended BJD MP Pyari Mohan Patra, who was being termed second power centre in the party is to hold a press meet in Bhubaneswar to elaborate organisational plans and future of his newly formed outfit ‘Odisha Jan Morcha’. Speculation was rife regarding Mr Mohapatra’s possible declarations regarding the BJD chief on that day. Mr Mohapatra was suspended from the BJD for his alleged failed coup attempt to dethrone Mr Patnaik on May 29.

During a press meet in the city on Monday afternoon, Berhampur MLA RCC Patnaik, Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy and Ganjam district president Subash Moharana denied any link between the date of press meet by Mr Mohapatra in Bhubaneswar and CM’s large public meeting in Berhampur. Mr Moharana termed it to be a coincidence.

This public meeting which as per BJD leaders would be attended by around 50,000 people is to be held in Khallikote autonomous college stadium in the city. At least three State ministers, MPs, MLAs and elected panchayat body members of the BJD in Ganjam district are to attend this public meeting.

It is also the day of college students’ union elections in the State and students’ union election would also be held in Khallikote autonomous college. This may increase pressure on local police regarding maintenance of law and order on the college campus on that day.

On Monday administrative officials and police officials including Berhampur Superintendent of Police (SP) and city tehsildar reached the Khallikote autonomous college stadium to inspect the ground fro its use during the public meeting to be attended by the CM.

The district BJD president said decision to hold this public meeting had been taken on Sept 30, during a working committee meeting of the district unit of the party at Khallikote. Later this proposal was approved by the party chief and CM. “We would try to increase awareness regarding pro-people policies of BJD government during this rally,” he said. But as per political observers this large public meeting in Ganjam, the home district of the CM was a show of strength against the recent uprising of Mr Mohapatra through his new outfit.

Source: The Hindu