In a swift and decisive action, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has suspended three of its leaders, including prominent women’s wing secretary Shreemayee Mishra, for alleged involvement in “anti-party activities.”
The move, announced via an official office order dated today, comes amid escalating internal rifts within the party, particularly over criticisms directed at former bureaucrat-turned-politician V.K. Pandian.
The suspension order, signed by BJD Vice President (Headquarters) Pratap Jena on behalf of party president Naveen Patnaik, targets Mishra alongside ex-block president Subas Chandra Sai and ex-district secretary Pravir Chandra Sai from Mayurbhanj district. It accuses the trio of engaging in activities detrimental to the party’s interests, effective immediately, though specifics remain sparse in the document.
Mishra, a long-time BJD loyalist who has risen through the ranks to become General Secretary for Women’s Affairs, has been at the centre of recent controversies. Over the past week, she unleashed a series of scathing social media posts indirectly targeting Pandian – often dubbed the “adopted son” of Patnaik – labelling him a “fake saint” and questioning the party’s favouritism toward him. Her outbursts, which included complaints of being sidelined for election tickets despite her contributions, have ignited debates about nepotism and leadership succession in the BJD.
The reprimand escalates what was already a brewing storm.
