Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik Thursday expelled Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik and Remuna MLA Sudhansu Sekhar Parida from the ruling party.
A press release issued by the BJD stated that the two MLAs were expelled from the party for ‘anti-people’ activities.
Regarding Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, the press release read, ”On an FIR by an ex-employee of Sambad Newspaper a case under sections 506/467/468/471/420/120-B IPC has been registered against him and others by Economic Offence Wing (EOW) Odisha. Further many ex-employees of Sambad newspaper have made similar allegations with EOW Odisha. It is a serious case of organized bank fraud involving loan worth crores of Rupees taken in the name of more than 300 employees Sambad by using fraudulent means and forged documents.”
It can be mentioned here that Soumya Ranjan Patnaik is the chief editor of the Odia daily ‘Sambad’.
On the expulsion of the Remuna MLA, the BJD in its official release said, “Sri Sudhansu Sekhar Panda, when he was Managing Partner of M/s Nigamananda Associates, Balasore, in connivance with others misappropriated government subsidy, meant for farmers, of more than Rs.3 crores during the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20. This matter is being inquired into by the State Vigilance on the orders of the Honorable Lokayukta.”
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister announced the expulsion of the two legislators after conveying a customary greeting for Nuakhai festival and informed that details regarding the expulsions would be shared in a press release.
PNN