BJD expels Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik from party

Bhubaneswar: Following editorials published in ‘Sambad’ against Odisha 5T Secretary VK Pandian, BJD Supremo Naveen Patnaik expelled Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik from the party.

The party removed two BJD MLAs — Soumya Ranjan Patnaik and Sudhansu Sekhar Parida — citing anti-people activities.

“Two MLAs are being expelled from the Biju Janata Dal. The first is Shri Sudhansu Parida, MLA, Remuna, and the second is Shri Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, MLA, Khandapada. A detailed press release about this very shortly,” said BJD chief Naveen Patnaik.

As per an FIR filed by an ex-employee of Sambad newspaper against Soumya Ranjan Patnaik and others with the EOW under sections 506/467/468/471/420/120-B of IPC in case of bank fraud involving loan worth crores taken in name of more than 300 employees of Sambad by using forged documents and fraudulent means, the release stated.

Besides, Remuna MLA Sudhansu Sekhar Parida was expelled from the BJD for alleged misappropriation of government funds.

Sudhansu Sekhar Parida, when he was the Managing Partner of Nigamananda Associates, Balasore, in connivance with others misappropriated government subsidies meant for farmers of more than Rs 3 crore during the period from 2017-18 to 2010-20. This matter is being inquired by the state vigilance on the orders of Lokayukta, the release said.