BJD withdraws suspension of 'anti-party' leader Prafulla Ghadai

Bhubaneswar: On September 20, 2014, the BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced, “Prafulla Chandra Ghadai has been expelled from the party for anti-party activities with immediate effect.” And after almost four and a half years, Naveen withdrew the expulsion order against the former Finance Minister.

Party's General Secretary Bijay Nayak informed that the party president Naveen Patnaik has revoked the expulsion of Ghadai

"I am happy as withdrawal of expulsion will help me work freely for the party," said Ghadai. But when asked about the party's motive behind the decision just ahead of elections, he simply said that he doesn't want to comment on that. Something, in the same way he had earlier said while reacting to his expulsion in 2014- "I don’t want to comment on the decision of party chief. Let people decide."

Meanwhile, the veteran leader denied contesting in the 2019 polls and said that he is not keen to contest the 'Assembly elections'- dropping a hint that he may fancy Jajpur Lok Sabha seat. He further said that Jajpur is 'BJD's fort' and he will defend it with all his might.

Prafulla Ghadai had allegedly given certain negative statements against the party and its president to a particular Odia daily, following which he was expelled from the party.