Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is under the clutches of a handful of people and they are managing affairs in the name of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik which is unacceptable, opined the party's Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik here today.

"I have been reiterating that 5T Secretary VK Pandian cannot do politics so long as he is in service. The grassroots-level workers are also echoing my view. But if a handful of people will manage all the affairs in the name of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik as if it is their Zamindari or Zagirdari, this is unacceptable," Patnaik thundered.

The senior member of the party further said that if the party is to suspend me, then it can do so. Why should I resign from the party? The party is no one's parental party.

"The Biju Janata Dal, under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik, has achieved enviable successes. For that, I place Naveen Patnaik among the few fortunate leaders. I feel proud to be in the party. However, if I, with my lifetime experience, point out the aberration in the party, is that a crime? If that amounts to indiscipline, then I am helpless," expressed Patnaik.

He went on to say that the party cannot be complacent going by its successive election results.

"We cannot afford to be complacent that there is no alternative to us; we are invincible. Taking advantage of CM's personal problems, a handful of individuals enjoying humongous power might pose a threat to the party in the future. I cautioned the party well in advance through an editorial. It was not against the party; rather, it was to further strengthen the party," he underscored.