TNI Bureau: In a big development today, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has suspended BJD strategist and Rajya Sabha MP Pyari Mohan Mohapatra from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for anti-party activities.
In addition, Naveen also recommended the dismissal of Ministers Anjali Behera and Sanjeeb Sahoo from the Cabinet and also suspended MLAs Prabhat Biswal and Bibhuti Balabantray from the party.
Support Independent Journalism? Keep us live.
The move is seen as the biggest-ever development in Odisha Politics in the last decade. Pyari, who ruled the party by proxy for around 12 years, had attempted a coup with the help of his loyalists a few days ago when Naveen was away in London. However, that coup bid was foiled by the massive support received for the Chief Minister.
Naveen arrived in Bhubaneswar yesterday evening and was accorded a rousing welcome by thousands of BJD leaders and cadres. He held meeting with senior leaders throughout the day and took the decision. It’s really interesting that Naveen spared Sarada Nayak and Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, who are considered as the staunch supporters of Pyari Mohan.