Patnaik expels MLA from BJD for "anti-people" activities

    Bhubaneswar, Nov 29 (PTI) Ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD)
president Naveen Patnaik on Sunday expelled Gopalpur MLA
Pradeep Panigrahi from the regional party on charge of "anti-
people" activities.
    An official release issued by the BJD said: "Pradeep
Panigrahi, MLA Gopalpur is expelled from the primary
membership of the party with immediate effect for his anti-
people activities."
    The three-time MLA and a former minister, is the first
leader in the regional party who has been expelled on charge
of "anti-people" activities, though many members in the past
were removed from the BJD on "anti-party" charges.
    Though the BJD's official order signed by its general
secretary (Media Affair) Manas Ranjan Mangaraj mentioned
Panigrahi's "anti-people" activities, it was not clarified the
nature of the offence he allegedly indulged in.
    The party action against Panigrahi came after the
anti-corruption vigilance wing established his alleged
association with suspended Indian Forest Service Officer
(IFS) Abhay Kant Pathak and his son Akash Kumar Pathak.
    The father-son duo has been arrested and sent to jail
on charge of amassing huge properties in a disproportionate
asset case. Panigrahi had allegedly helped Pathak's son Akash
in a job fraud.
    Pathak's son has also been accused of cheating youths
from Ganjam district by luring them with jobs in a reputed
company. Panigrahi allegedly helped Akash in the cheating
incidents, sources in the vigilance said.
    Panigrahi was not immediately available for comment.
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)