Though the BJD was able to make the national leadership of the BJP concede the seat to it, the nomination of Rath Das as its candidate has not gone down well with the State BJP leadership. The BJP is of the opinion that the BJD has lured away Das from the party by giving him a ticket for the assembly by-polls.

Originally in the CPI, Das had joined the BJD when the regional outfit was formed. But he had switched over to the BJP a few months back. Das returned to BJD again a few days before he filed his nomination papers.

The fielding of Das by the BJD in Bhandaripokhari is being resented by BJP leaders and party workers as well. Though the two alliance partners have decided to conduct joint campaign for the by-polls, the developments during the last few days have turned sour the relations between the two alliance partners.

The expulsion ofDas from the BJP has further damaged relations between the two allies. Peeved over the changing loyalties of Das, the BJP leadership expelled Das from the party on Friday exposing the seriousness of the rift between the two alliance partners. By expelling Das from the party, the BJP leadership has made it clear that it means business. Political observers believe that the BJD has a very hard task ahead in Bhandaripokhari.