Orissa chief minister and Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik on Friday expelled the party’s rebel leader Pyarimohan Mohapatra and general secretary Jagnyeswar Babu on charges of “indiscipline” and “anti-party” activities.
The decision to expel Mr Mohapatra and Mr Babu was taken at a hurried called party’s state executive committee held here at the BJD state headquarters.
“The state executive committee today decided to expel Pyarimohan Mohapatra and Jagnyeswar Babu,” the chief announced after the meeting.
Reacting to the action against him, Mr Mohapatra said, “I knew they would expel me. However, I don’t accept this action against me as it is illegal and ultra vires. When Naveen Patnaik, according to the BJD constitution, ceases to continue as the president of the organisation, how can he convene the state executive committee meeting and take the decision to expel us?” he asked.
The veteran leader, while stating that he would not challenge the expulsion decision in court of law, said he would fight it politically. “In politics, people are the ultimate masters. I will go to 27 lakh BJD workers against this arbitrary action against me. Almost 20 lakh of the 27 BJD workers are unhappy with the high-handedness of the chief minister and they would give a befitting reply to this whimsical move as I have been fighting for their democratic rights,” he said.
Jagnyeswar Babu, while challenging the state executive committee decision, said the committee had not regularly met in every six months for the last three years as mandated in the constitution. “Today’s executive committee meeting was ultra vires on many counts. Firstly, a general secretary was appointed as the returning officer for today’s meeting, this not appropriate as per the party constitution. Secondly, the meeting itself was illegal as it was convened by Naveen Patnaik who has ceased to exist as the president of the BJD. I will explore all legal options to undo the actions against me,” Mr Babu said.
BJD vice-president Damodar Rout justified the action. “Pyarimohan tried to usurp power by dislodging chief minister Patnaik. Later, he formed a parallel political forum called Orissa Jana Morcha and launched a tirade against the CM. Such actions amount to indiscipline and his expulsion was an urgent necessity,” Dr Rout said.