Last-ditch bid for patch-up in BJD

BHUBANESWAR, Nov 19 (PTI) — A last ditch attempt is on for a patch-up between the warring factions in the BJD facing a vertical split following dissident activities and tough action by party president Naveen Patnaik, who yesterday suspended three rebel leaders.

Amidst hectic parleys in both the camps headed by Patnaik and suspended party leader Bijoy Mohapatra, a number of senior leaders took the initiative for bringing about a rapprochement.

Naveen Patnaik, who is also the Union Minister for Steel and Mines, left here for Delhi today and is expected to return tomorrow when the reconciliation process would gain momentum, BJD sources said.

Senior party leader V. Sugnana Kumari Deo, held a closed-door meeting with Patnaik before his departure for Delhi today and is believed to have suggested a formula for reconciliation.

Party sources said that Patnaik was also not averse to a compromise in the party.

While declining to give details of her discussion with party chief Deo said that the ball was in Naveen’s court at present.

Stating that Naveen Patnaik remained the undisputed leader of the party and no one was questioning this, she said that the ball was in his court now.

"Something has to happen," she said, replying to a question, adding either the differences among the leaders had to be sunk or the party could split.

The veteran legislator, however, expressed surprise at the party chief’s decision to suspend Mohapatra and two MPs yesterday.

"I met him (Naveen) yesterday also, but he did not drop any hint about it," she said.

Deo said that she would be going back to her district tonight to attend certain programmes and would return here depending on the requirement after Naveen Patnaik’s arrival. In fact, several party MLAs, members of the library committee of the assembly, were scheduled to go to Chennai on tour on Saturday.

However, Mr Bijoy Mohapatra said he was not aware of any reconciliation process initiated by some party leaders.

"I have no idea, neither the party president nor anyone else had discussed with me about a patch-up," he said.

Rama Krushna Patnaik, who was leader of opposition before the coup by the dissident MLAs, said he was not against any compromise provided everybody reposed their full confidence in the leadership of Naveen Patnaik and remained within the parameters of party discipline

NEW DELHI (UNI): The Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) strength in the Lok Sabha will soon be reduced to seven, with the party president, Mr Naveen Patnaik, informing the Speaker Mr G.M.C. Balayogi, of his decision to derecognise forthwith Mr Tathagath Satpathy and Mr Prabhat Samantaray as members of his party.

The second communication from Mr Patnaik within 24 hours was received here today just before Mr Balayogi left for his home town this afternoon. Mr Balayogi arrived here from Moscow early this morning and has not given any ruling in the matter as of now.