Naveen Patnaik rebukes his party MLA for ‘leaning towards BJP’

Bhubaneswar: Former chief minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik rebuked his party MLA for ‘leaning towards the BJP’ after his absence at a Legislature Party meeting.

The BJD president’s remark underscores reported factionalism happening in the party after it lost power in the assembly polls.

Patnaik was to attend the Budget session when he bumped into his party's Champua MLA Sanatan Mahakud on the assembly premises Thursday.

On seeing Patnaik getting out of the car, Sanatan Mahakud and others came over to greet him.

It was then the party chief sought explanation for his absence at the Legislature Party meeting held on Wednesday.

When Patnaik asked ‘Why didn’t you attend the party meeting yesterday?’ Mahakud replied he wasn’t keeping well.

Patnaik remained convinced and mouthed off in the presence of media ‘He’s leaning towards BJP.’

The conversation between them hit the headlines with Mahakud later dismissing any change in his political allegiance.

Patnaik’s reprimand has to do with Mahakud’s growing bonhomie with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi of the BJP.

Footage recently showed Majhi smearing cake on Mahakud’s face at an event.

Also, Both Majhi and Mahakud are hailing from the Keonjhar district.

Mahakud later told media that he would continue in the BJD until his tenure is over: ‘How can I go to any other party before 2029 as I have been elected on a BJD ticket?’

About his frequent meeting with Mohan Majhi, Muhakud said he had the right to meet the chief minister to discuss ‘development issues’ of Keonjhar district.

One of the richest MLAs in the state, Mahakud was previously an independent candidate before winning on BJD ticket in 2024.

His declared assets according to the 2024 election affidavit is worth Rs 227 crore.