Wrangling in party forces Naveen to skip Kujang

PARADIP: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik kicked off campaign in Jagatsinghpur district on Wednesday with public meetings at Jagatsinghpur, Balikuda and Tirtol. He, however, skipped Rahama and Kujang of Paradip Assembly constituency. The eleventh hour cancellation of the programme hinted at a political rift in the BJD with the constituency being represented by former agricultural minister Damodar Rout. The party is already facing the heat following the Kujang firecracker explosion and clash over Posco coastal road.Though Rout denied the rift and said all the places could not be covered in a day, local candidates and workers are not buying the explanation. “The decision came late on Tuesday and we feel let down,” said panchayat samiti chairman of Kujang Narendra Kumar Parida. Parida is contesting for the post of Zilla Parishad member for Zone 1 of Kujang block.On the other hand, the Chief Minister arrived two hours late for the meetings at Balikuda, Jagatsinghpur and Tirtol. He spelt out the welfare schemes of the State Government and urged the voters to support BJD candidates. Local BJD Legislator Bishnu Das was present.Salepur: Campaigning in Cuttack district, the Chief Minister addressed six meetings.At Banua under Mahanga constituency, Naveen, who spoke in Odia, said development of villages topped his Government’s agenda.Naveen referred to the development and pro-poor programmes being undertaken by his Government.  Stating that panchayat polls are crucial for development of villages, he urged the gathering to vote for a good candidate for better representation. Among others, School and Mass Education Minister Pratap Jena and Kendrapara MP Baijayanta Panda were present at Banua. Hopping from one place to another in a helicopter, Naveen addressed meetings at Kishan Nagar in Cuttack Sadar, Baideswar Football Ground in Banki, Khuntakata in Athagarh, Gopinathpur in Badamba and at Niali.