Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik on Thursday expelled two MLAs from the party on charges of anti-people activities. Of the two expelled MLAs include Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, also the owner-editor of Odiya daily Sambad. “Two MLAs have been expelled from the BJD. They are Sudhansu Sekhar Parida from Remuna and Soumya Ranjan Patnaik from Khandapada,” Patnaik told reporters in state capital Bhubaneswar. Earlier on September 12, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik was dismissed from the party’s vice president post, according to a PTI report.
The latest action against Soumya Ranjan Patnaik comes after a case was registered against him by the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Odisha Police under different sections of the Indian Penal Code including cheating and fraud.
“It is a serious case of organised bank fraud involving loans worth crores of rupees taken in the name of more than 300 employees of Sambad by using fraudulent means and forged documents,” a BJD statement signed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.
#WATCH | Bhubaneswar: Two MLAs are being expelled from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the first is Sudhanshu Shekhar Parida, MLA Remuna and the second is Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, MLA Khandapada. You’ll be getting a detailed press release very shortly: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik pic.twitter.com/UwpLi5PZv5
— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023
Likewise, Remuna MLA Sudhansu Sekhar Parida has been accused of misappropriating government subsidy worth Rs 3 crore meant for farmers.
According to the BJD press note, the matter is being enquired into by the state vigilance following an order of the Lokayukta.
This is the second instance when Odisha’s regional ruling party expelled its legislator on grounds of anti-people activity.
In November 2020, the BJD chief had expelled Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi from the regional party on charge of “anti- people” activities.
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The action against the three-time MLA and a former minister came after the anti-corruption vigilance wing established his alleged association with suspended Indian Forest Service Officer (IFS) Abhay Kant Pathak and his son Akash Kumar Pathak.
The father-son duo has been arrested and sent to jail on charge of amassing huge properties in a disproportionate asset case. Panigrahi had allegedly helped Pathak’s son Akash in a job fraud, according to another PTI report.
The IFS officer’s son was also accused of cheating youths from Ganjam district by luring them with jobs in a reputed company. According to the report, Panigrahi had allegedly helped Akash in the cheating incidents.