Sambad Editor & MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik expels from BJD for ‘anti-people activities’
The editor of Sambad had criticized V.K. Pandian, a trusted bureaucrat of Odisha CM, in his editorials
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha on Thursday expelled senior MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik and Remuna MLA Sudhanshu Sekhar Parida from the party.
Soumya Ranjan Patnaik was earlier removed from the party’s vice-president post on September 12. As the editor of Odia daily Sambad, he had written two signed editorials attacking his own party. He had criticised CM’s private secretary VK Pandian for allegedly excercising influence beyond his official position.
The latest action against Soumya Ranjan Patnaik comes after after the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Odisha Police registered a case against him under different sections of the IPC including cheating and fraud.
- The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday also expelled Remuna MLA Sudhanshu Sekhar Parida.
- Subsequently, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Crime Branch raided the office of the daily newspaper, Sambad, owned by Soumya Ranjan Patnaik over alleged loan fraud
“It is a serious case of organised bank fraud involving loans worth crores of rupees taken in the name of more than 300 employees of Sambad by using fraudulent means and forged documents,” a BJD statement signed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.
Similarly, Remuna MLA Sudhansu Sekhar Parida has been accused of misappropriating government subsidy worth Rs 3 crore meant for farmers. The matter is being inquired into by the state vigilance following an order of the Lokayukta, the BJD press note said.
