Before the Rajya Sabha elections, on Thursday, Biju Janata Dal i.e. BJD took a major action and showed the way out of the party to two sitting MLAs. This decision of BJD surprised everyone. Action has been taken against the MLAs on charges of being involved in anti-party activities. The party has not said anything more than this in its official statement. However, the action taken against MLA Arvind Mohapatra and MLA Sanatan Mahakud before the Rajya Sabha elections has definitely created a suspense.
Patnaik had reprimanded in front of the media
Action was expected against Mahakud, MLA from Champua assembly of Kendujhar parliamentary constituency, as he had distanced himself from party activities for some time. Action has been taken against him for his growing friendship with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and criticizing the party. Last year, he was reprimanded by Patnaik in the presence of media persons for not being present in party activities. Also said that he is leaning towards BJP.
In 2024, Mahakud had contested the elections on BJD ticket. He had won this election by a huge margin. He is one of the richest MLAs in the party. In the 2024 election affidavit, he had declared assets worth Rs 227 crore.
MLA son of party founding member Mohapatra also suspended
Arvind Mohapatra is also one of the other MLAs suspended by BJD. He has been an MLA from Patkura assembly of Kendrapara parliamentary constituency. He is the son of senior leader Bijoy Mohapatra, who was a founding member of BJD. Became MLA in 2024 after leaving corporate job abroad.
Arvind has given a statement on the action taken by the party. He said that he was never involved in any anti-party activity. Has been a disciplined member of BJD. He was not even contacted before the action. Even show cause notice was not received from the party. I have received information about the suspension from social media.
What did the senior BJD leader say?
BJD MLA Divya Shankar Mishra’s statement on this action has come to light. He said that the party president has enough evidence and intelligence to prove his involvement in anti-party work. He said that the party’s message is that strict action will be taken against anyone who does anti-party work. The party president always takes action only after examining all the aspects and considering them.
