Bhubaneswar: A day after suspending two sitting MLAs, the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday took further disciplinary action by suspending two senior leaders in Jajpur district for alleged involvement in anti-party activities.
Party president and Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, ordered the suspension of the president and vice president of the Jajpur Zilla Parishad unit with immediate effect. The action was formalised through separate orders issued by BJD vice president Pratap Jena.
According to the order, Ganeswar Baral, Vice President of the Zilla Parishad, Jajpur district, has been suspended from the party for his alleged involvement in activities detrimental to the party’s interests. In a separate order, Nalini Prabha Jena, President of the Zilla Parishad, Jajpur district, was also suspended on similar grounds.
The disciplinary action comes close on the heels of the party’s decision on Thursday to suspend Patkura MLA Arvind Mohapatra and Champua MLA Sanatan Mahakud. Both legislators were suspended from the Biju Janata Dal with immediate effect for their alleged involvement in anti-party activities.
Reacting to the suspension of the MLAs, BJD spokesperson and media coordinator Lenin Mohanty said that Naveen Patnaik has never tolerated indiscipline or betrayal within the party. He stated that the two MLAs had breached the party’s constitution and established guidelines, and that the decision was taken after careful deliberation and due process.
Mohanty further said the action against the MLAs was widely welcomed by party workers across the state and reiterated that all members are expected to adhere strictly to the party’s principles and organisational discipline. He added that the BJD leadership has consistently taken firm action against those who violate party norms.
Meanwhile, senior BJD leader and chief whip Pramila Mallik also welcomed the decision, describing it as a necessary step to “clear the dirt” from the party and strengthen organisational discipline.
