The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Thursday suspended two of its MLAs for their involvement in “anti-party activities”, said an official order issued by party president Naveen Patnaik.
While the party has not cited specific allegations, the decision to suspend MLAs Arvind Mohapatra and Sanatan Mahakud months before the Rajya Sabha polls has raised eyebrows within the BJD.
Action against Mahakud, who represents the Champua assembly constituency under the Keonjhar parliamentary constituency, was expected as he had been staying away from BJD activities. The move also came a day after he criticised the party for not undertaking development works in Keonjhar district during its 24-year rule, and amid his growing bonhomie with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
In February last year, Patnaik reprimanded Mahakud in the presence of media persons for skipping a BJD legislature party meeting and stated that he was “leaning towards BJP”, a remark that was captured on camera.
Mahakud, who had earlier won once as an independent from the mineral-rich Champua constituency, contested the 2024 polls on a BJD ticket and won with a huge margin, enjoying immense popularity in the region. He is among the richest legislators, with declared assets worth Rs 227 crore in his 2024 election affidavit.
What created a buzz in the BJD was the suspension of Arvind, who represents the Patkura assembly segment under the Kendrapara parliamentary constituency. A greenhorn in politics, Arvind is the son of veteran leader Bijoy Mohapatra, one of the founding members of the BJD who was expelled from the party 25 years ago.
After quitting his corporate job abroad, Arvind joined the BJD ahead of the 2024 assembly and general elections and was elected from the Patkura assembly segment.
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Speaking to reporters after his suspension, Arvind said he had never indulged in any anti-party activities and had remained a disciplined member of the BJD.
“Nobody from the BJD contacted me before taking the action. I was also never got any show-cause from the party. I came to know about the suspension from the social media,” Arvind told reporters.
According to BJD insiders, Patnaik sought to send a signal to others in the party about swift action against indiscipline amid speculation of growing dissent.
Senior BJD MLA Dibya Shankar Mishra said the party president has ‘adequate intelligence input’ about those working against the party’s interests. “It’s a clear message that whoever will work against the interest of the party, strict action will be taken. The party president always takes action after collecting all information and taking into consideration all aspects,” Mishra said.
