BJD suspends MP Panda for anti-party activities

BHUBANESWAR: The BJD on Wednesday suspended party’s Lok Sabha member from Kendrapara Baijayanta Panda from the primary membership of the party charging him that he was involved in “anti-party” activities.

In a hurriedly called press conference in the evening, BJD vice president Surya Narayan Patro said the lawmaker was found to be involved anti-party activities and did not maintain good relationship with the party workers at the grassroots.

“The BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik, after consulting the party’s grassroots workers and leaders in Kendrapara district, has suspended from the primary membership of the party with immediate effect,” Mr Patro said.

In his reaction, Baijayanta tweeted, “I’m shocked at this news. Very very sad that CM Naveen Patnaik didn’t see through the conspiracy against me led by an IAS officer now controlling the party. I vehemently deny the allegations against me, they are entirely false & baseless. I will pray to Jagannath for guidance before I respond further.”

The BJD vice-president Mr Patra also told the media that Baijayanta Panda, despite being elected as an MP, worked as his family firm IMFA’s vice president and received Rs 1.45 crore salary and other allowances in 2014. “This apart, Mr Panda’s family firm is also involved in a controversial loan waiver to the tune of several thousand crores,” he said.