In a decisive move, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Odisha unit President Manmohan Samal has suspended five primary party members following their alleged involvement in the attack on BMC Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo during a grievance hearing on June 30.
According to party sources, those suspended include:
- Aparup Narayan Rout, Corporator
- Rashmi Ranjan Mahapatra
- Debasish Pradhan
- Sachikant Swain
- Sanjeev Mishra
The suspension comes amid growing concerns about internal discipline and public perception ahead of key civic and state-level political developments. Party insiders stated that the step was taken to uphold organisational integrity and send a clear message about zero tolerance toward disruptive conduct.
Observers believe this is part of a broader attempt by the BJP to distance itself from episodes that could tarnish its urban governance narrative in the capital.
