By Sunil Jena, Editor-in-Chief | The Politics Odia
Bhubaneswar: According to political circles, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a BJP victory in the Nuapada by-election. However, what’s happening inside the party tells a different story, one filled with suspicion, rivalry, and power play.
Sources reveal that Majhi is finding it increasingly difficult to decide whom to trust within his own party. On one hand, some BJP leaders are reportedly hoping that if the party loses Nuapada, Mohan Majhi might be forced to step down as Chief Minister. On the other hand, senior leader Basanta Panda and his son Abhinandan Panda are said to be more interested in securing Abhinandan’s political future than ensuring a BJP win.
Meanwhile, BJP state president Manmohan Samal, who himself lost the 2024 election, is reportedly disillusioned and sidelined within the government. Political insiders claim that Samal, too, might not be fully committed to the Nuapada campaign’s success.
In this complex web of internal politics, Mohan Majhi’s only loyal ally appears to be Himansu Sahu (Liku), the Independent MLA from Dharmasala. It is being whispered in political corridors that Majhi has entrusted Liku with a crucial task to keep a close eye on Basanta Panda, Abhinandan Panda, and Manmohan Samal.
This move, however, has reportedly sparked resentment and tension within the Odisha BJP, especially among leaders who feel sidelined or mistrusted. As the Nuapada bypoll nears, one thing is clear: it’s not just an electoral battle against the opposition; it’s also a test of loyalty and survival within the BJP’s own camp.
