Former Odisha Minister Raghu Mohanty back as BJD vice president

Bhubaneswar: Five-time Basta MLA and former Odisha minister Raghunath Mohanty was today reappointed as the vice president of Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

BJD president Naveen Patnaik today appointed Raghunath Mohanty as vice president of the party.  Besides, he has also been entrusted with the responsibility of Dhenkanal district as District Observer, Pranab Prakash Das, BJD General Secretary said in a press release.

Close to five years after Mohanty was removed from vice president’s post following his arrest in a dowry torture case slapped by his daughter-in-law Barsa Swony Choudhury, the party today delegated powers to oversee party’s organisational affairs.

The veteran politician was also suspended from the party soon after the arrest in the much-hyped case. In June last year, he was inducted into the party after a formal meeting at party supremo’s residence Naveen Niwas.

The family feud garnered much media attention and public interest as the Choudhury and Mohanty family had to battle it out in the court. While Raghunath Mohanty and his wife Pritilata walked out of jail on bail, the families fought a bitter battle in the court. Mohanty’s son filed a divorce case which dragged on for a while. However, the couple had a fairy tale ending with the two parties reaching a compromise deal.