Ghadai lobs the ball into Odisha people's court

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Sep 20:

Prafulla Ghadai after his expulsion from the BJD
(Pix: Biswaranjan Mishra)

Expelled BJD leader Prafulla Ghadai today said the people of Odisha would judge whether the action taken against him by the party was right.

"The party president is well within his rights to take the decision. I have no comments to make on that. The people of the state will judge whether the action taken against me was right," Ghadai said moments after his expulsion was announced by party supremo and chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

Asked if he had been penalised for his alleged role in the failed coup on May 29, 2012 as alleged by BJD spokesperson Samir Dash, the former Finance minister denied having played any role in organising the coup.

"On the contrary, I did everything possible to foil the conspiracy that had been hatched against the party supremo. Party colleagues who were with me in Naveen Nivas on that fateful night can vouch for it," Ghadai said.

The veteran leader said he had always been a loyal party worker since the time of Late Biju Patnaik and had never done anything remotely against the party's interests.

Asked about his future plans, the old warhorse said; "I have had a long innings in politics. I have always remained with the people and have worked for them. And that is what I will continue to do in the future too."

Ghadai said his work as a labour union leader will continue.