Days after suspending six of its MLAs for alleged cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has declared it will not stop at suspension.
The party has announced it will petition the Speaker to disqualify the legislators under anti-defection rules and is ready to take the fight to the High Court and Supreme Court if necessary.
BJD spokesperson Dr Lenin Mohanty, addressing a press conference at Sankha Bhawan on Sunday, accused the suspended MLAs of “betraying the party and the state” while indulging in “drama in the name of Biju legacy”.
“These six MLAs think they will be saved under Dilip Ray’s protection. But BJD will not stop at suspension. We are fully prepared to take this fight to the end,” Mohanty said. “We will write to the Speaker seeking cancellation of their membership. If needed, we will go to the High Court and Supreme Court.”
The suspended MLAs, however, have refused to soften their stand and have launched a counter-offensive against the party leadership.
“Would Have Been Happier If Expelled”
Cuttack-Choudwar MLA Souvic Biswal, son of senior leader Prabhat Biswal, who was earlier expelled, said he cannot tolerate the insult to his father.
“I cannot bear the insult done to my father. If I have to take bullets for this, I will face it. I got the chance to become an MLA only because of my father,” Biswal said. “I would have been happier if they had expelled me instead of suspending me. Five days after my father’s expulsion, I was called to Naveen Niwas. I thought they would talk about my father, but they asked me to vote for Santrupta Mishra. I refused outright, saying this decision is only my father’s to make.”
He questioned the party’s “soft corner” for Santrupta Mishra and announced that time would decide his next political move. He also raised doubts over the newly formed Biju-Naveen Inspirational Foundation in Delhi.
“I Voted for Biju Legacy”
Baliguda MLA Chakramani Kanhar strongly denied any betrayal. “I have not committed any breach of trust with BJD. I voted for Biju Legacy. No whip was issued for the Rajya Sabha election. As a disciplined worker, I gave one vote as per the party directive and the second to the independent candidate,” he said.
“People Are My Only Asset”
Basta MLA Subasini Jena declared that her only strategy and wealth are the people. “My supporters are my assets. Whatever I did was for their good. In politics everyone has different opinions — I cannot comment on that,” she said.
Her suspension has triggered a major revolt in Basta, with several leaders and workers resigning from the party in protest.
Protests Target VK Pandian
Supporters of Banki MLA Devi Ranjan Tripathy staged a demonstration in Cuttack, burning Pandian’s effigy and raising slogans of “Pandian Go Back”. They accused the former bureaucrat-turned-leader of still controlling the party and trying to finish off “Biju Legacy”.
BJD’s Firm Stand
Senior BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra justified the disciplinary action. “The party constitution allows action against indiscipline. The discipline committee recommended it after the PAC meeting chaired by Naveen Patnaik. Those who do not respect the collective decision have no right to remain members,” Mishra said.
He confirmed that the party will approach the Speaker to disqualify the MLAs and will also challenge the second ballot given to two of them. “Whether their suspension benefits or harms anyone is not important. They have gone against the party directive,” Mishra added.
The developments have triggered fresh instability in Odisha politics, with the suspended MLAs asserting that “time will give the final verdict”.
The BJD, on its part, has made it clear that it will pursue the matter to its logical end — inside the Assembly and in the courts.
