Odisha Bytes Exclusive: BJD Likely To Announce Disciplinary Action Against Baijayant Panda Soon

Bhubaneswar: The ruling BJD is most likely to announce disciplinary action against Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda very soon, party sources said here on Wednesday.

Panda has been in the eye of a political storm in recent months for his statements about party matters in the social media and newspapers.

A four-time MP, Panda has been questioning the style of functioning of the BJD and called for introspection. He also targeted the ‘third floor’ sparking speculation that he is getting close to the BJP.

Several party members of Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency in recent days have met Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik and alleged that Panda was engaged in anti-party activities.

Notably, two party leaders — Pramila Mallick, observer of Kendrapara District BJD Committee and Usha Devi, observer of Cuttack District BJD Committee — had visited Kendrapara and submitted a report to the party supremo after collecting information from  party workers and local leaders.

Last year, an egg hit Panda on his head during a programme at Mahanga in Kendrapada constituency. It was viewed to be the fallout of intra-party differences involving Panda and health minister and Mahanga MLA Pratap Jena.

Recently, Panda while inaugurating a drinking water tank project at Buhala panchayat of Nischintakoli block had lambasted government officers.