BJD MP Baijayant Jay Panda suspended by Naveen Patnaik from primary membership of party

In what can be called as a ‘U’ turn in the political scenario of the eastern state of Odisha, well known Member of Parliament  (MP) from Kendrapada constituency, Baijayant Jay Panda have been suspended from the primary membership of the ruling party of Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

Jay Panda who is also the president of IMFA, a manufacturers body for ferro alloys was suspended from primary membership of BJD on grounds of anti-party activities by party president and Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik.

Baijayant Jay Panda served as a member of Rajya Sabha from 2000-2006 and from 2006- 2009. He won the Kendrapada seat for Lok Sabha in 2009 and 2014.

Biju Janata Dal President Naveen Patnaik suspends Baijayant Panda from the primary membership of party with immediate effect on grounds of 'anti-party activities'. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/H9dBiABIjY

— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2018

His acts are against the principles of the establishment of BJD, said party vice-president Surjya Narayan Patro said in a press note.

In the press note Surjya Narayan Patro further says that as president of IMFA he was in receipt of several monetary benefits to the tune of crores in salaries, allowances and waiver of loans.

The BJD also said that Jay Panda’s recent activities both on the social media and outside appeared to be in line with that of BJP MP and petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan.