First pre-poll violence in Cuttack, infighting in BJD

Dissident activities in the ruling BJD party came to fore in Cuttack today soon after tickets were distributed for the February 6 Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) elections.
The dissenting bustle was so intent that it not only saw many BJD workers defying party diktat and jumping into the poll fray as independent candidates, but also turned violent at some places. The house of local BJD legislator Pravat Ranjan Biswal was ransacked and his younger brother was assaulted.
The police have registered two FIRs in this connection including one against the MLA's brother Arta Ranjan Biswal.
"We have registered two cases over the incidents and investigations are in progress," said Chauliaganj police station inspector Sriprasanna Mallick, adding no one was arrested in this connection yet.

DCP S Praveen Kumar visited the MLA's house at Mahanadi Vihar.
According to reports, hundreds of women had gathered in and around the house of Biswal to know whether a popular BJD worker of Ward No. 42 was getting the party ticket for the CMC elections.

"During discussions, a commotion took place between a group of agitated women and the MLA's brother, which turned violent," said an eye witness.
The MLA's brother in his FIR has said he was threatened of dire consequences by the unruly mob brandishing revolvers.
Dissident activities in the BJD came to the fore elsewhere in the city when as many as six BJD leaders filed nomination papers on the day as independent candidates after they were denied party tickets.

Trying to fish in muddy waters of BJD politics, the opposition Congress hoped to take advantage out of intra-party rumblings in the BJD.
"We definitely stand to gain from it," said city Congress president Md Moqim.