BJD Suspends Senior Leader Prafulla Mallik Amid Resignation Row

Bhubaneswar, Sept 12 : In a dramatic turn of events, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday suspended senior leader and former Minister Prafulla Mallik for alleged “anti-party activities,” just hours after he announced his resignation from the party’s primary membership.

Mallik, a four-time MLA from Kamakshyanagar and once a key figure in the Naveen Patnaik cabinet holding portfolios like Works, Steel, and Mines, had recently expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of the BJD. He had accused the party of failing to discharge its duties as a “real opposition” in Odisha.

Party sources said the suspension order was issued by BJD chief Naveen Patnaik after Mallik’s remarks questioning the leadership and direction of the organisation. However, Mallik insisted that he had already resigned from the party citing personal reasons, and described the suspension as “a formality” that followed his exit.

Speaking to reporters, Mallik said his repeated suggestions for strengthening the party were ignored, forcing him to distance himself from organisational affairs. “I have never engaged in any anti-party activity, as claimed in the suspension order. My decision to quit was personal,” he clarified.

Mallik’s departure is seen as a setback for the BJD, which has been struggling to regroup as Odisha’s principal opposition party after losing power earlier this year. Political observers believe his exit may trigger fresh rumblings within the party ranks.