TV
A day after senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Prafulla Mallik issued a veiled warning to party president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the conch party has placed the veteran leader under suspension.
Mallik, a former Minister in the Naveen Patnaik government and ex-Kamakshyanagar MLA, had publicly cautioned that he might quit the party if it ‘does not function in the right manner.’
“Sri Prafulla Kumar Mallik, ex MLA Kamakhyanagar, Dhenkanal district, is hereby suspended from Biju Janata Dal for his involvement in anti-party activities with immediate effect,” the office order issued by the BJD read.
In a rare public outburst, Mallik expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s functioning, claiming that the BJD had failed to discharge its role as the principal Opposition in Odisha.
He alleged that the party no longer followed its earlier ideological principles and criticized the leadership for ignoring several of his proposals aimed at strengthening the organisation. Mallik had also noted that while some suggestions, like forming a PAC and a disciplinary committee, were accepted, many others were overlooked.
Also Read: ‘Naveen warned’! Senior BJD leader threatens to quit party if not run properly
“I no longer participate in any organisational activity as BJD is not functioning properly. I will do social work. The party has failed to discharge its role as the principal Opposition in the state. This is not the right time to make a decision for an alternative. People still have support for the BJD. If the party functions properly, I will continue to be with it. If not, I will be engaging myself with social organisations,” Mallik had said yesterday.
