Key position for gangster Tito’s aide in Jagatsinghpur triggers row in BJD

Bhubaneswar: Conflict within the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has surfaced after Jyotikant Parida alias Bapu, a close associate of notorious gangster Tito, was appointed as vice-president of Jagatsinghpur district unit.

His appointment as a key functionary has triggered a row in the party with Paradip MLA Sambit Routray expressing displeasure over Jyotikanta Parida alias Bapu getting an important position. It was pointed out that Bapu’s name figures in criminal cases.

Pointing fingers at government chief whip in Assembly Prashant Muduli, who was earlier Jagatsinghpur BJD president, Routray said the list of party workers from all assembly constituencies in the district was submitted for selection of top positions in the district unit of the party.

“I gave the list. However, I do am not aware how Bapu Parida’s name was included in the list for the party’s important position,” he said, accusing Muduli of recommending Bapu Parida’s name for the vice president post of the district.

Making it clear that he had not recommended the name of Parida, Routray further claimed that several names were deleted from the list recommended by him. Only Muduli can explain as to why he recommended Parida’s name for the important position, the legislator said.

The Paradip MLA, however, maintained that it is an internal matter of BJD and the party leadership will look into the whole issue.

According to reports, over 20 cases are registered against Parida, who was also arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) in 2018. Prashant Muduli and Bapu Parida were not immediately available for comment on the issue.