Panigrahi, who was once a close aide of the chief minister, had also worked as his representative in Hinjili assembly segments for years. The party expelled him from the BJD following his alleged involvement in the job scam.
The opposition BJP took political mileage out of it and attempted to tarnish Patnaik s image by raising questions as to how the chief minister allowed such an anti-people leader to work with him.
Das also asked the party rank and file to take chief minister Naveen Patnaik s good works to the doorstep of each person in the state.
The regional outfit considers Patnaik s clean image as the party s USP (unique selling proposition) of the BJD, which has won five consecutive general elections under the chief minister s leadership.
BJD will not allow any attempt to tarnish clean image of CM Naveen Patnaik: Pranab Prakash Das
Pranab Prakash Das, who is considered as number two after Patnaik in the regional outfit, said this in reference to the recent arrest of Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi on the charge of cheating and fraud. He was accused of indulging in anti- people activities. PTI
Naveen Patnaik
Odisha s ruling Biju Janata Dal would not allow any attempt to tarnish the clean image of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, a senior party leader said.
The party would will fight against the Centre s negligence and negative attitude towards the state, he said.