Baripada (Odisha): Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesdayday claimed that his Odisha counterpart and BJD president Naveen Patnaik was facing crisis of confidence and accused the state government of failing to improve the condition of tribals.
"The Odisha chief minister has lost confidence on his party leaders and therefore poached leaders from other parties including JMM," Soren said, addressing two public meetings in Odisha`a Mayurbhanj district.
Referring to JMM leader Sudam Marandi and Bhadav Hansda switching loyalty to BJD, Soren said, "Their departure has not affected the popularity of JMM. The tribal people have trust on the JMM."
Both Marandi and Hansda had quit JMM before the polls and joined the BJD.
"He could not find candidates from his own party. So he poached outsiders and fielded them as candidates in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections," Soren said.
Stating that JMM was dedicated to the welfare of tribals, Soren said adivasis continued to remain neglected in Odisha under the BJD rule.
He criticised the Patnaik government also for the multi-crore mining scam and chit fund scam in the state.
Hemant`s Mayurbhanj visit followed his father and JMM supremo Shibu Soren`s tour to the tribal dominated district.
JMM has fielded candidates in 7 assembly segments and Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha seat.
