Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik expels 2 MLAs from BJD for ‘anti-people’ activities

By  Subrat Sarangi

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 21: Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday expelled two of his MLAs – Soumya Ranjan Patnaik of Khandapara and Sudhanshu Sekhar Parida of Remuna – from the party on the charge of “anti-people” activities.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is also the BJD president, announced the expulsion of the two legislators from the party.

“Two MLAs have been expelled from the Biju Janata Dal. The first is Sudhanshu Parida, MLA Remuna, and the second is Soumya Ranjan Patnaik,” the CM said.

Soon after the brief announcement, the BJD released an official statement in this regard.

“Sri Sudhansu Sekhar Panda, when he was Managing Partner of M/s Nigamananda Associates, Balasore, in connivance with others misappropriated government subsidy, meant for farmers, of more than Rs 3 crore during the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20. This matter is being inquired into by the State Vigilance on the orders of the Honorable Lokayukta,” the statement read.

Similarly, on the MLA Khandapada, the BJD said, “On a first information report (FIR) filed by an ex-employee of Sambad Odia newspaper, a case under sections 506/467/468/471/420/120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against him and others by Economic Offence Wing (EOW) Odisha. Further many ex-employees of Sambad newspaper have made similar allegations with EOW Odisha. It is a serious case of organised bank fraud involving loans worth crores of rupees taken in the name of more than 300 employees of Sambad by using fraudulent means and forged documents.”

The expulsion of Soumya Ranjan Patnaik came after the MLA raised questions on the visits of CM Naveen Patnaik’s private secretary VK Pandian to various districts through his editorials in the Sambad daily and media statements early this month.

Subsequently, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Crime Branch raided the office of the daily newspaper, Sambad, owned by Soumya Ranjan Patnaik over alleged loan fraud. Three joint teams comprising 12 officials of EOW, and Commissionerate Police conducted the raids at the Sambad office in Rasulgarh area of Bhubaneswar.