Sambalpur, Oct 16: The friction between two factions of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Sambalpur was witnessed during party's Jan Sampark Padayatra on Sunday.
BJD organisational secretary and Sambalpur observer Pranab Prakash Das had strictly directed to hold Jan Sampark Padayatra unitedly. However, it didn't happen yesterday.
Supporters of former MLA Dr Raseswari Panigrahi and Sambalpur district BJD president Rohit Pujari began the Padayatra from Balibandha while grassroot leaders and workers from Rengali under the leadership of Bishal Das started their Padayatra from Frezer Club. Supporters of former district president and general secretary Sidharth Das joined Bishal's rally near Kunjelpada where former vice-chairman of Sambalpur Municipality Siddhartha Saha had gathered hundreds of workers. Besides, youth leader and advisor of Kenduleaf Welfare Board Sanjit Mohanty came from MG Road with his supporters.
Pranab Prakash Das had discussed with all factional leaders during his visit to the district on October 12 and asked them to hold the Padayatra on October 15 unanimously, but in-vain.
