Show cause notice to BJD leader in Lok Sabha for his controversial statement

18 November, Bhubaneswar

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Parliamentary party leader in Lok Sabha Bhartruhari Mahatab was today issued a show cause notice for his controversial statement on party’s stand on the possible non BJP alliance without the approval of the party president.

Party General Secretary Ananta Narayan Jena said the BJD supremo and president Naveen Patnaik issued the show cause notice to Mahatab who has been giving statements against the party’s ideology on many occasions.

Mahatab, in a statement had recently stated that the BJD would not hesitate to go for an alliance with the Congress to counter BJP.

Patnaik however, clarified that there was no question of BJD having any alliance with the Congress and said the party would like to maintain equidistance both from the Congress and the BJP.

Some senior leaders of the party had criticised Mahatab for making such statement which they said had embarrassed the party supremo.

In an interview to a local vernacular daily, Mahatab said the BJD has to go for alliance with the Congress to fight against the BJP as there is no other alternative to it.

Mahatab’s statement had created a storm in the party and many leaders demanded action against him.