Bhubaneswar, May 25 (IANS). Biju Janata Dal leader and spokesperson Dr. Lenin Mohanty in Bhubaneswar reacted to the resignation of Rajya Sabha member Debashish Samantrai. He said on Monday that his decision to leave the party appeared to be motivated by personal interests. Biju Janata Dal gave continuous opportunities to Debashish Samantrai in political life and played an important role in taking him forward.
Dr. Lenin Mohanty, while talking to news agency IANS, said that Debashish Samantrai has sent his resignation to BJD President Naveen Patnaik, in which he has talked about being insulted and humiliated in the party. Responding to this, Mohanty said that this claim is surprising because the party gave him a chance to contest elections five times in a row.
He said that Debashish Samantrai won three assembly elections on BJD ticket and lost two elections, but despite this the party and Naveen Patnaik continued to have faith in him. Later he was sent to Rajya Sabha and was also given many important responsibilities in the organization.
The BJD spokesperson alleged that in recent years, a political trend has been seen in the country in which some leaders, after reaching the Rajya Sabha with the support of one party, join other parties. Without directly naming him, he said that many leaders later join BJP.
Mohanty said that personal interests, business reasons and pressure from some groups could be the reason behind Debashish Samantrai’s resignation. He said, “It is unfortunate to leave the same party which gave him identity, political base and took him forward. Although this will not cause any major loss to BJD, but in future he may have to regret his decision.”
Dr. Lenin Mohanty also targeted the Central Government regarding rising fuel prices. He said that within the last 10 days, the prices of petrol, diesel, CNG and commercial gas have increased several times, causing additional economic burden on the general public and the business class.
Demanding the government to reduce VAT, he said that if taxes are cut then people can get relief of Rs 10 to 14 per litre. Amidst the ever increasing inflation, the government should take immediate steps to provide relief to the common people.
–IANS
SAK/VC