Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik’s writings on the role of a bureaucrat in Odisha sparked bitter criticism from leaders of the ruling party and subsequently he was removed from the post of BJD vice-president. However, Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi, who has been expelled from BJD, has thrown his weight behind Soumya.
“Soumya didn’t get the opportunity to express his opinion through the party forum. He didn’t even get the opportunity to meet the Chief Minister. Hence, he expressed his views through editorials,” said Panigrahi.
“Now, he will be intimidated. However, Soumya babu is not Pradeep Panigrahi. Many people are with him. To remove him from BJD vice-president post was a desperate bid. Let us see how BJD will axe Soumya from the party? Around 110 out of 112 BJD MLAs are crying. There is no association of MLAs. Things will be solved if there will be an association of MLAs in place,” he added.
Earlier, Opposition BJP and Congress had mounted attack on the ruling BJD for sacking Soumya from the party’s vice-president post.
The action against Soumya came after he raised questions on several issues including 5T Secretary VK Pandian’s visits to various parts of the State through his editorials.