BJD suspends 2 MLAs, cites anti-party activities | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD on Thursday suspended 2 MLAs — Sanatan Mahakud and Arvind Mohapatra — for alleged anti-party activities.The action followed Mahakud publicly questioning the party’s contribution to his home district, Keonjhar, and renewed political buzz after Arvind’s father, senior leader Bijoy Mohapatra, met expelled former Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim amid speculation of attempts to float a new regional outfit.An office order issued by the BJD president said the 2 MLAs were suspended “for their involvement in anti-party activities”.Arvind, a first-time MLA from Patkura in Kendrapada district, said he was unaware of any wrongdoing. “I need to find out what anti-party activities I did. Those who took action against me should say so,” he said.Bijoy Mohapatra, once a key associate of Biju Patnaik, again emerged as a rallying point for several leaders in recent months. Moquim’s meeting with him revived speculation about the formation of a regional party. Bijoy, a minister between 1990 and 1995, was denied a BJD ticket in 2000 — the party’s first assembly election — after which he floated the Odisha Gana Parishad and later joined the NCP and BJP. He is not associated with any party now.Reacting to the action, Bijoy said he was surprised. “I don’t know the reason. The party should spell out the specifics about the anti-party activities,” Bijoy said.Mahakud, the Champua MLA, also denied any anti-party activity. Earlier this week, he said despite the BJD’s 24-year tenure, Keonjhar did not see substantial development. Mahakud, who recently praised chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi — also from Keonjhar — has stayed away from BJD organisational activities for some time. A 2-time MLA with declared assets exceeding Rs 227 crore, he was elected as an independent in 2014.BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said, “The leadership acted after receiving internal feedback about indiscipline by the 2 legislators.” The principal opposition in the Odisha assembly, BJD has 50 MLAs in the 147-member house.
