Striking hard at his detractors, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday sacked Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Sarada Prasad Nayak, alleged to be another key conspirator in the failed coup attempt orchestrated by senior BJD leader Pyarimohan Mohapatra.
Sarada is the third minister in the State Cabinet to be shown the door amidst speculations that more heads will roll after the unsuccessful attempt to dethrone the Chief Minister.
“I have sent a letter requesting the Governor to dismiss Minister of State for Urban Development Sarada Nayak from the Council of Ministers,” the Chief Minister told mediapersons.
Earlier, the Chief Minister had given marching orders to Women and Child Development Minister Anajali Behera and Minister of State for Commerce and Transport Sanjeeb Sahoo for hobnobbing with Mohapatra, a close confidant-turned adversary.
“I dismiss Nayak for his action is more serious than corruption,” the Chief Minister said.
Sources said pressure mounted on the Chief Minister to remove Sarada form the Council of Ministers because the Urban Development Minister visited Pyarimohan’s residence despite his advice not to go there.
Mohapatra, who was suspended from the party on Friday, told mediapersons on Monday that the Chief Minister had called Sarada from London after learning that he came to his residence on May 29 and threatened him of dire consequences.
The Chief Minister had also suspended two BJD legislators __ Jatni MLA Bibhuti Balbantray and Cuttack-Choudwar MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal __ from the party for playing active role in the attempt to topple his Government when he was away on a trip to the UK.
Nayak was also holding the Excise department portfolio as an additional charge after A U Singhdeo resigned from the Cabinet in the wake of the hooch tragedy in February.
The Chief Minister kept the Housing and Urban Development department portfolio with him while Finance Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai was given the additional charge of Excise department.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister continued to hold consultations with ministers, MLAs and MPs at his residence. He also met several functionaries of the party’s district units.
