Bhubaneswar, Dec. 26 -- Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari on Friday launched a sharp counterattack on Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, accusing him of having a long record of weakening both rival parties and his own leaders, and rejecting claims that the BJP was attempting to split the BJD.

Pujari's remarks came hours after Patnaik, speaking at the BJD's foundation day programme, alleged that "some parties" were spreading misinformation that his party would break apart. Patnaik had asserted that the BJD would remain the political voice of Odisha for the next 100 years and dismissed speculation about internal divisions.

Responding to those statements, Pujari said Patnaik should "first remember ...