BHUBANESWAR: Speculation is rife in BJD whether any action will be taken against senior party MP Bhartruhari Mahatab after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik sought an explanation from him on Friday for his statements on possible ties between BJD and Congress.
While Excise Minister Damodar Rout said the Chief Minister may take action against the MP if he is not satisfied with the reply, party MP from Sambalpur Nagendra Pradhan disapproved of such statements by the senior leader. “Giving such a statement was not proper when preparations for elections have already started,” he said.
The Chief Minister, however, told mediapersons at New Delhi that only a showcause notice has been served on Mahatab to explain why such statements were made.
Naveen had sought an explanation from him on Friday for his controversial remarks on the party’s possible alliance with Congress.
Stating that Mahatab made certain comments to the media without the consent of party chief, a release issued by the BJD said since the remarks were against the regional outfit’s political ideology, he has been asked to explain.
Mahatab courted controversy for allegedly stating that BJD was not averse to possibility of an alliance with Congress. However, Mahatab had later clarified that it was his personal opinion and not that of the party. Naveen reiterated the BJD’s stand of maintaining equidistance from Congress and BJP.
However, Mahatab statement given to a local daily that he had raised the issue of a possible alliance with Congress at the instance of CM created a flutter in the ruling party. Though he denied the statement, the damage had already been done.