Soumya Patnaik Removed From BJD Vice-President’s Post
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) deposed Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik as party vice-president on Tuesday.
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Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) deposed Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik as party vice-president on Tuesday.
However, no cause is given in the office order for his dismissal.
This comes amid rumors of possible disciplinary action against the lawmaker for his critical views on the ruling dispensation and 5T secretary V K Pandian, as well as apparent deepening divisions within the ruling party ahead of Odisha's twin elections in April 2024. For the past few days, BJD leaders have been targeting Soumya, accusing him of blackmailing the party.
On September 9, Industries and Energy Minister Pratap Keshari Deb even requested Soumya to resign from the BJD if he could not uphold party discipline. Amar Patnaik, a BJD MP, later informed the media that criticizing the party while a member was inappropriate.
Soumya has previously stated that his efforts to restructure the party could not be labeled as indiscipline. He also said that the leaders who made statements against him were under pressure to do so.
The legislator had blasted 5T secretary V K Pandian's whirlwind district tours and stranglehold on the administration and party in editorial columns in a key Odia newspaper as well as bytes to media.
