Bhubaneswar, March 23 The opposition BJD strongly criticized its suspended MLAs on Monday, who justified their cross-voting in the recent Rajya Sabha elections, accusing them of invoking the legacy of Biju Patnaik to shield themselves from public criticism.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s state headquarters here, opposition chief whip Pramila Mallik alleged that the MLAs had cross-voted in favor of the BJP-backed independent candidate Dilip Ray for "money".
"Talking about Biju's legacy from their mouths is like a devil reciting the Vedas," Mallik said.
She alleged that those now invoking Biju Patnaik's legacy had betrayed him during his lifetime.
"The people who betrayed Biju Patnaik when he was alive are now invoking his legacy to avoid public embarrassment after cross-voting," Mallik, a seven-time MLA who started her political journey under his leadership, said.
Mallik also targeted the families of some of the suspended MLAs, alleging that their relatives had conspired against Biju Patnaik in the past.
"Bijoy Mohapatra (father of Arvind Mohantra) and Prabhat Tripathy (father of Devi Ranjan Tripathy) are now speaking about Biju's legacy. But, in fact, they had conspired against Biju Patnaik in 1995," she claimed.
Both Mohapatra and Tripathy, earlier expelled from the BJD, rejected the allegations.
Mallik further alleged that the MLAs engaged in cross-voting were in the party only to enjoy power.
"These MLAs are now talking about Biju’s legacy only to protect themselves from public outrage. If they truly have courage, they should resign from their MLA posts and contest fresh elections. The BJD will also take legal steps to cancel their membership," she said.
In a statement, the BJD alleged that there had been a conspiracy to prevent Biju Patnaik from becoming chief minister for a third term in 1995 and from becoming Prime Minister in 1996.
Bijoy Mohapatra and Pravat Tripathy were involved in the conspiracy against Biju Patnaik, the party alleged.
BJD MLA Byomkesh Ray claimed that in 1995, despite a strong wave in favour of Biju Patnaik, parallel candidates were fielded in several constituencies, leading to his defeat.
"Similarly, in 1996, there was an opportunity for Biju Babu to become the PM, but some leaders from Odisha conspired to prevent this, including these two," Ray alleged.
Another BJD MLA, Dhruva Charan Sahu, said leaders who once conspired against Biju Babu are now talking about his legacy.
BJD’s suspended MLA Devi Ranjan Tripathy said, "I voted for Dilip Ray as he was the true mentor of Biju Patnaik. Biju Babu spent his last days at the Delhi residence of Ray. I could not vote for Dr Datteswar Hota as he was supported by Congress, a rival to BJD."
Similar were the statements of Aravind Mohaptra, Souvic Biswal and Subasini Jena.
Ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls held on March 16, Ray had invoked Biju Patnaik’s legacy and appealed to MLAs to support him irrespective of party affiliations.
He eventually secured 11 votes, including eight from the BJD and three from the Congress, and won the election.
The BJD has suspended six MLAs -- Chakramani Kanhar, Naba Kishor Mallick, Souvic Biswal, Subasini Jena, Ramakanta Bhoi and Devi Ranjan Tripathy -- on charges of anti-party activities, including cross-voting.
Earlier, the party had suspended Arvind Mohapatra (Patkura) and Sanatan Mahakud ( Champua) for alleged anti-party activities. They, too, defied the party whip and cross-voted in the recent RS polls.