BJD MP Baijayant Panda suspended for ‘anti-party activities’ by Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik

by Shivendra Singh · January 24, 2018

Days after BJD MP Baijayant Panda took to social media to raise his voice against Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, he has been suspended from the party. The charges against him range from indulging in anti-party activities to ‘monopolistic utilisation’ of MPLAD funds. Panda had said that there is an ‘orchestrated campaign’ to discredit him.

Here’s how Panda reacted to the news:

*I’m shocked at this news
*Very very sad @Naveen_Odisha didn’t see thru the conspiracy agnst me led by an IAS ofcr now controlling th party
*I vehemently deny the allegations agnst me, they are entirely false & baseless
*I will pray to Jagannath for guidance b4 i respond further

— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) January 24, 2018

Many political pundits believe that this decision was long term coming as Panda increasingly refused to tow Naveen Patnaik’s line inside the party. Panda, who is extremely popular on Twitter often praised various schemes of the Modi government. He even faced violent protests from BJD workers lin May last year in Kendrapara when eggs were thrown at him. Panda however said at that time that he wil not be cowed down by such protests.

Panda’s next political move will be closely …read more