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Mohapatra throws challenge to Patnaik

M I Khan in Bhubaneswar

At a massive rally in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, Bijoy Mohapatra formally launched the Orissa Gana Parishad as a regional political party.

Mohapatra, a former Union minister who was expelled from the Biju Janata Dal, had recently formed the OGP as a 'political forum'.

But at its first state-level convention at the Kalinga Stadium, he announced its conversion into a full-fledged political party.

As expected, Mohapatra mobilised a large gathering of people from all over the state, especially from the cyclone-affected coastal districts, which are considered his stronghold.

At the rally, Mohapatra warned Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to begin rehabilitation work in the cyclone-affected areas quickly and in drought-affected western Orissa by December. "If the state government fails to do so, the OGP will launch a people's movement," he said.

He also challenged Patnaik, "Come and face me in Patkura if you dare." Patkura is Mohapatra's assembly constituency.

Buoyed by the turnout despite the state government's opposition, Mohapatra thundered, "The presence of thousands of people here proves the people's displeasure with the Patnaik government."

He accused Patnaik of having set an undemocratic example by trying to "disrupt" the convention. "No political party in the past had adopted this practice," he said.

The OGP leader said Patnaik had restrained him from contesting the assembly election in February. But now, he said, he was ready to contest against the chief minister himself under the OGP's banner.

The OGP leader said he was aware of the activities of some IAS and IPS officers who have been conducting raids on the houses of OGP leaders and workers. "I was at the helm of affairs at least for five years. Therefore, I know the people," he warned.

Former BJD member of Parliament Tathagat Satpathy, state Janata Dal, United, president Narashingha Mishra and many other prominent politicians from other parties attended the meeting. On Monday, Upendra Naik, former Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Keonjhar, joined the OGP.

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