In Odisha, hectic parleys are on at state capital Bhubaneswar by ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLAs supporting Chief Minister and party president Naveen Patnaik to prove their solidarity behind him. Naveen Patnaik, who arrived at New Delhi last night cutting short his United Kingdom visit following a revolt within his party, is likely to reach Bhubaneswar today evening. His loyal MLAs and ministers are planning to give him a grand welcome at the airport to send a signal that majority of the party legislators are with him. A signature campaign by the loyalist MLAs is also on to garner support for the BJD supremo. They have authorised the BJD president to take action against the dissidents. Naveen Patnaik has been in touch with party leaders over telephone and is likely to discuss over the rebellion in the party during his absence with party colleagues immediately after reaching Bhubaneswar.Meanwhile, BJD Parliamentary Party leader in Rajya Sabha Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, who held series of meetings with a large number of BJD MLAs who are unhappy over the function of Naveen Patnaik, confied himself to his residence and waiting for the next step of Naveen Patnaik. He, however, already made it clear that he did not intend to split the BJD. The BJD has 104 members in the 147-member Odisha Legislative Assembly.
News On AIR | May 31, 2012 2:39 PM
Hectic parleys on in Bhubaneswar by ruling BJD MLAs