Bhubaneswar: Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram on Friday alleged that a section within BJP was spending money and conspiring to defame him in a bid to oust him from Union Cabinet, warning that he would firmly retaliate against attempts to tarnish his reputation.“Some people are spending money and hatching conspiracies to defame me. They believe that if I am dropped from the Union Cabinet, it will create an opportunity for them. Their efforts are aimed at achieving that objective,” Jual told media persons at BJP office here.“I have devoted my blood and sweat to this party. The party has recognised my contributions and entrusted me with several important responsibilities over the years. If anyone tries to tarnish my reputation with baseless allegations, I am fully capable of fighting back. I challenge them,” Sundargarh MP said.“I had earlier announced that I would not contest any more elections, but I have now decided to contest again. I will ensure that those who have worked against me are held accountable for their actions.”“Some people who came from other political parties are now trying to weaken my position within the BJP by using money and influence. I strongly condemn these attempts. I have discussed the matter in detail with the party’s general secretary (organisation), Manas Mohanty. I am confident the party will examine the issue and ensure justice. If needed, I will take the matter before the central leadership.”He said, “Those attempting to malign image of mine, a tribal, will not be spared.”Though Jual didn’t openly name anyone, his statements came a day after police arrested his representative in Rourkela, Prakash Paswan, days after it emerged that he had booked rooms at Circuit House for seven men who were subsequently arrested with arms and ammunition by police.“If any individual or organization is deliberately carrying out a smear campaign against me, I will take appropriate legal action,” he had posted on social media, adding, “There will always be political rivalry, and criticism is natural in public life. But lies, malicious propaganda, and conspiracies will not be tolerated.”A six-time Lok Sabha MP, Jual has remained a dominant force in Odisha politics since the 1990s, losing only once, in the 2009 Lok Sabha election from Sundargarh, when he was defeated by former chief minister Hemananda Biswal. Apart from that setback, Oram has won every parliamentary election he has contested since 1998.
