Just when things showed signs of normalising in the BJD after the coup attempt of May 29 and the subsequent purging, the statement of dissident Rajya Sabha member Pyarimohan Mohapatra that a ‘Pyari hunt’ is going on has triggered a fresh round of speculation.
The statement of Pyari, before the much- awaited ministry reshuffle, has assumed significance as political observers expect purging of even last traces of Pyari loyalists.
Reacting to the possibility of sacking Pyari loyalists from the ministry in the reshuffle, he had said if the CM chooses to do that he would also have to go. A loyalist is one, who is under the influence of somebody, and the Chief Minister was said to be under my influence, he reasoned.
Pyari, considered chief adviser to the CM till May, also alleged that he was receiving indirect threat of arrest and imprisonment. “I am not afraid of these threats. I will face the situation as it comes,” the 72-year-old retired IAS officer said.
He alleged that a daily newspaper, promoted by him, has become a target of the Government. “They (government) have stopped advertisements to the daily and issued a direction to industries and commercial establishments not to give advertisements,” he claimed.
The statement has evoked strong reaction from the BJD. Former minister and one of the Pyari-baiters Damodar Rout said all through he (the Rajya Sabha member) described himself as a grassroots worker without holding any post in the Government or the BJD. How does he claim to have so many followers in the BJD? he asked.
Alleging that Pyari has never won an election in life, Rout said he owes his Rajya Sabha membership to the Chief Minister only. How can he say that ministers and MLAs, who have won elections, are his followers, Rout asked and said Pyari’s claim of having a large number of followers in the BJD is hollow. What could he do to save the three ministers, who were sacked by the Chief Minister, after the coup bid, the former minister said.
With the statement triggering a fresh controversy, those, who were associated with the Rajya Sabha member before the coup attempt and are still continuing in the ministry, apprehend an uncertain future.
With the Chief Minister keeping cards close to his chest on the issue, confusion prevails in the Government as well as the party.
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