Nanda accuses central leaders for decline of BJP in Orissa

Bhubaneswar, Aug 25 (UNI) BJP vice-president in Orissa Prashant Nanda has criticised the central leadership for not concentrating and consolidating the party'sstate unit.

In a letter to party national President Rajnath Singh, the actor-turned-politician, who had recently quit the party, said family politics was ruling the roost and groupism had shadowed the growth of the party in Orissa and the central leadership had no time to strengthen the party in the state.

Mr Nanda said party national vice-president Jual Oram tried to restore the image of the party but was asked to beg apology adding that it seemed Orissa was not in the priority list of the central leaders.

The former Higher Education Minister said the growth of the party in the coastal belt had nose-dived from 1996 onwards and the people no more consider BJP as a force but as attached to BJD headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

He apprehended that its impact would be felt in the coming elections and said the party would bear the wrath of public for any misdoings by the government.

Mr Nanda said the problem started after the party shared power with Biju Janata Dal in the state in the wake of a decision to go for coalition politics.

But during seat sharing for parliamentary election, the future of the BJP was not taken care of resulting in throttling of the party in the coastal belt, he said.

Mr Nanda said he had drawn the attention of Mr L K Advani to the issue by observing ''moun dharana''.

The performance of the Orissa government was under constant criticism and it would be tested in the ensuing election, Mr Nanda said. The leader said he decided to disassociate himself from the party and tender his resignation as he could not be a mute spectator to the steady decline of the BJP in Orissa.

UNI