TNI Bureau: After failing to garner support from majority of MLAs within the BJD and under fire from several quarters, BJD strategist Pyari Mohan Mohapatra has denied reports that he was planning a coup and ruled out any split in the party.

After the midnight drama last night where at least three Ministers and around 31 MLAs gathered at Pyari Mohapatra’s Sahid Nagar residence and later Naveen loyalists arranged a parallel meeting at Naveen Patnaik’s residence, there were speculations that BJD was heading for a big split.

However, Pyari Mohan held a press conference this morning and denied all speculations. He rubbished the allegations that he was planning a coup and tried to show his strength, terming those as a conspiracy by some vested interest in the party.

Pyari revealed that Naveen Patnaik was upset over the latest developments and called him from Rome last night to take stock of the situation. He regretted that Naveen, who always took advice and suggestions from him in the past, was being influenced by others.

According to Mr. Mohapatra, the meeting was held to discuss certain disciplinary and related issues within the party and he that never ordered hotel booking for BJD MLAs At Swosti Premimum, as reported in a section of local media.

Pyari slammed some “unidentified” BJD leaders, saying that they are damaging the prospects of the party by hatching a conspiracy against him. He lamented that his hard work during the last 12 years went in waste after the last night’s “propaganda” by his detractors.