Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday suspended senior leader and former Dhamnagar MLA Muktikanta Mandal and his wife, former Bhadrak Lok Sabha MP Manjulata Mandal, for alleged anti-party activities, triggering fresh political speculation in Odisha.
The suspension order was issued by BJD State Vice-President Pratap Jena following directives from party president Naveen Patnaik. Party sources said the decision comes amid growing concerns over the Mandal couple’s perceived proximity to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
For several days, the couple had reportedly been sidelined within the BJD and were no longer invited to key organisational programmes. Their increasing engagement with BJP leaders had also drawn resistance from a section of local BJP workers in Bhadrak district.
Political chatter had intensified earlier when leaders, including associates of senior BJD figure Prafulla Samal, defected to the BJP, fuelling speculation that the Mandal couple might follow suit. Similar discussions resurfaced when former Balasore MP Rabindra Kumar Jena joined the BJP, though no move materialised at the time.
In recent days, both Muktikanta and Manjulata Mandal have reportedly been camping in New Delhi, further intensifying speculation about an imminent political shift. Sources indicate that their supporters are anticipating a possible formal induction into the BJP later this month.
State BJP president Manmohan Samal is learnt to have informally signalled openness to their entry, while there are indications that central party leadership may also be in favour. However, no official confirmation has been issued by the BJP so far.
The development has added a new dimension to the evolving political dynamics in coastal Odisha, particularly in Bhadrak district, where both leaders hold considerable influence.
