Rebel leader makes a call to split BJD

“The day we reach that figure all unwanted elements would flee the party. Today it is the workers who have made the chief minister,MLAs or MPs. The party is winning elections because of the workers,not leaders. We are Biju karmis,not Naveen karmis,” he said addressing the Kranti Samavesh rally.

Though Mohapatra had earlier said that over 50,000 supporters will attend the rally,only 15,000 people turned up. He blamed the “dirty tricks” played by the administration fort the poor turnout and alleged that thousands of his supporters were prevented by BJD and the police in places like Athgarh,Ganjam,Khurda and Nayagarh.

In his address,he termed Naveen Patnaik as “non-committal,weak and indecisive”. “He lacks willpower. His sister Geeta Mehta used to tell him to learn Oriya. But she too became tired of that. One who has had no political will in the last 12 years can’t do anything. Whichever secretary or chief secretary brought the files before him,he signed it without question. He listens only to a few bureaucrats and acts at the behest of his coterie,” Mohapatra said.

He alleged that it was Patnaik himself who wanted to kick him out of the party three and a half years ago. “Despite what he claims,I had no plans to dethrone him. Does anyone plan a conspiracy sitting at home under full media glare,” he asked.

Blaming the chief minister for state’s poverty and unemployment,he said,“Biju Patnaik had set up Orissa textile mills but his son decided to sell it. What self-respect has he got? He has kept none of his promises.”

Mohapatra said his party would follow up the rally with four such rallies across the state in the next four months.