Suspended Patkura MLA Arvind Mohapatra from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) held a press conference today to vehemently deny all allegations leading to his suspension, labelling them as unfounded and inconsistent.
Addressing the media in Bhubaneswar, Mahapatra refuted claims made by BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, particularly the recent accusation that he has been harassing the residents of Patkura. He questioned the source of these allegations and called for an open debate on issues of corruption and anti-party activities.
Mahapatra outlined a series of shifting accusations leveled against him since his suspension. “First, it was anti-party activities, then corruption and betrayal, followed by involvement in a ‘mid-day operation’ implicating others. Later, they claimed I caused the defeat of our Kendrapara MP candidate, and that I wasn’t consulting on MLA fund usage. Finally, yesterday, they said I’m harassing Patkura residents,” he said. He demanded clarity on which of these is the “final list” of charges, emphasising that none have been substantiated.
Expressing bewilderment over Patnaik’s decision, Mohapatra revealed he has met the BJD chief multiple times, including in the Assembly and at his residence, where discussions were always cordial. “Naveen Babu never once mentioned that I was harassing Patkura people. If that’s the case, who exactly am I harassing? And who is feeding him this information?” he asked, adding that he wants to know the individual advising Patnaik, as it led to such a drastic step without prior warning or a show-cause notice.
Mahapatra also addressed the group that visited Naveen Niwas yesterday, noting that except for a few leaders, most had opposed him in the recent Patkura by-election. He denied any anti-party conspiracy, stating he does not attend unauthorized meetings or collude with other MLAs. “If they’re alleging I was plotting with certain MLAs, name them. Ask those MLAs, and the truth will come out,” he challenged.
On corruption charges, Mahapatra claimed there has been no misuse of MLA funds and that he has eliminated the “PC culture” (percentage commission) in Patkura’s development works. He invited open discussions to prove his innocence. Regarding rumors that he was pushing his father, veteran politician Bijay Mahapatra, for a Rajya Sabha seat, he dismissed it as “another lie,” saying his father has no interest and has never discussed it with him.
Mahapatra refuted allegations of sabotaging BJD’s Kendrapara Lok Sabha candidate Anshuman Mohanty, highlighting his family ties with Mohanty and pointing out that Mahakalapada Assembly segment saw the highest vote loss for the party—not Patkura. “Who is really anti-party here?” he questioned.
Reiterating his support from Patkura residents, Mahapatra said, “The people who elected me stand by me. Development work continues as it should. I completely reject the harassment claim.” He expressed frustration over the lack of coherence in the accusations, from anti-party work to harassment, with no matching evidence. “Even in our last meeting last month, Naveen Babu asked about my father’s health but said nothing about these issues. He could have advised me on corrections needed,” Mahapatra added.
The suspension has raised questions within political circles about internal BJD dynamics, especially as Mahapatra remains defiant and open to scrutiny.
