In Odisha, political crisis in ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) deepened further today with the suspension of BJD Parliamentary Party leader in Rajya Sabha, Pyari Mohan Mohapatra and two party MLAs by Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik for anti-party activities. The Chief Minister also recommended to the state Governor to dismiss Women and Child Development Minister Anjali Behera and Commerce and Transport Minister Sanjeeb Sahu from his Cabinet for anti-party activities.

After hectic political activity at Bhubaneswar, a large number of BJD ministers, members of parliaments and legislators, many of who are supporters of Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, met Naveen Patnaik since early morning and apprised him about the reported coupe by Pyari Mohan Mohapatra on last Tuesday to topple the state government. As many as 33 BJD MLAs including 3 ministers in the Naveen Patnaik government under the leadership of Pyari Mohan Mohapatra reportedly
attempted to overthrow Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his tour to United Kingdom. Meanwhile, Pyari Mohana Mohapatra has reacted sharply to the decision by Naveen Patnaik. He alleged that the Odisha Chief Minister is being remote controlled by a group of conspirators and he has become a victim of it. Mohapatra said he had been guiding the BJD and Naveen Patnaik for last 12 years and crucially helped the party to win three sucessive
assembly elections.

He said the people of Odisha will decide if Naveen Patnaik has done justice to him.The BJD has 104 members in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, while Pyari Mohan Moahaptra has been claiming that he has support of majority of party MLAs.