Naveen denies BJD split rumors while minister Pujari accuses him of ruining careers and party weakness

Bhubaneswar: BJD supremo and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday dismissed what he called “misinformation” about a possible split in the party, asserting that it would continue to serve the people of Odisha “for the next 100 years”. Revenue minister Suresh Pujari countered by saying BJD has weakened because of its internal issues.Addressing party workers on BJD’s foundation day, Naveen criticised what he described as attempts to spread rumours, a day after his party colleague Bhupinder Singh said the BJD might split in case of a leadership change. The former CM stressed that the party was “not about one or two leaders” but a people’s movement closely connected to Odia pride and aspirations. He urged young party workers to be more active on social media to counter misinformation and said BJD would turn “today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities”.Naveen then launched a sharp attack on the BJP, questioning the performance of the “double-engine” govt. He alleged that farmers were not getting fertilisers, mandis were not opening, Mission Shakti members were being harassed, and the youth were disappointed. Pointing to recent controversies, he said 18 question paper leaks took place in the last 18 months. “It doesn’t feel like there is a govt in the state. Better not to talk about law and order. Atrocities against women are increasing and even minor girls are not safe,” he said.Responding strongly, minister Pujari said, “If your house is in order, who can break it? But if you stay in a fragile house, water will leak — nobody can help.”Pujari added that while in opposition, leaders should show grace in acknowledging the govt’s good work. “When Naveen Babu was chief minister, I personally appreciated many of his works and criticised him whenever needed. But Naveen Babu has not learnt to appreciate good works of others,” he said. Pujari said after losing elections, BJD was “feeling like a fish out of water”.The minister further alleged that several BJD members were in touch with BJP, adding that the ruling party was not responsible if they “see no future” in their organisation. He accused Naveen of systematically ending political careers within his own party. “If a list is made of leaders who ended careers, Naveen Patnaik will top it. He has ended the political careers of hundreds of capable politicians. He should say whom he has groomed. I am a minister today because someone in BJP has groomed me.”