The Biju Janata Dal on Tuesday removed Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, a ruling party MLA and editor of the largest circulated Odia daily, Sambad, from the post of party’s Vice President following his criticism of a State-wide tour across all districts by V.K. Pandian, private secretary to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
The ‘disciplinary’ action against Mr. Patnaik, who represents the Khandapada Assembly Constituency, was on the expected line as he had accused Mr. Pandian, known to be a close aide to the Odisha CM, of meddling in State politics.
In a series of editorials, Mr. Patnaik raised concerns regarding the frequent tours by Mr. Pandian. In his editorials, Mr. Patnaik had alleged that the tours looked more akin to political meetings than a bureaucrat’s visit with BJD MLAs and Ministers preparing the stage for Mr. Pandian’s arrival.
