Hundreds of supporters of Arvind Mohapatra, the Patkura MLA from Kendrapara district, who was suspended by the Biju Janata Dal on Friday for a “variety of reasons”, laid siege to the party’s regional office, demanding that party supremo Naveen Patnaik spell out the “exact” grounds for the suspension.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which governed Odisha for years with an absolute majority, has rarely witnessed such open and sustained resistance to a suspension as it is now facing from the supporters of Patkura MLA.
Mr. Mohapatra was suspended from the party on January 15 along with Champua MLA Sanatan Mahakud. However, the BJD did not specify the reasons for the action. The party issued only a brief statement, saying the two legislators were suspended for “anti-party activities”, a standard formulation often cited in disciplinary actions.
Rejecting the explanation, Mr. Mohapatra publicly challenged party president and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik to furnish specific evidence of his alleged involvement in anti-party activities and to clearly explain the grounds for his suspension.
In response, party spokesperson Lenin Mohanty issued a more elaborate statement, asserting that the party leadership does not tolerate “corrupt elements and traitors.” Mr. Mohapatra, however, refused to accept the charge and reiterated his demand for a clear and reasoned explanation.
