Patnaik returns from London, meets BJD leaders -Governance Now

Patnaik returns from London, meets BJD leaders

Held deliberations with party MPs Baijayant Panda and Pinaki Mishra

PTI | May 31, 2012

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who returned New Delhi on Thursday from London, said he will look into "certain developments" when he reaches Bhubaneswar, in an apparent reference to a meeting of MLAs with powerful BJD MP Pyari Mohan Mohapatra fuelling rumours of cracks within the party.

"I understand that in my absence, certain events took place. I will look into them when I reach Bhubaneswar," Patnaik told reporters in New Delhi.

Shortly after reaching New Delhi, he held deliberations with party MPs Baijayant Panda and Pinaki Mishra and said he would also consult his party members after reaching Bhubaneswar Thursday evening.

"I will certainly see what has to be done," he said.

The meeting between the legislators and Mohapatra on Monday evening had triggered speculation of cracks within the ruling BJD in the state, which was, however, dismissed by Mohapatra at a press conference on Wednesday.

"There is absolutely no threat to Naveen Patnaik from me. He is completely safe as chief minister as he is the leader of the BJD," Mohapatra had said.

At least 21 BJD legislators, including three ministers, had met at the residence of Mohapatra with some leaders terming the exercise as "pressure tactics" by one group close to the Rajya Sabha member at a time when Patnaik was away.

Reacting to the development, Patnaik had in London deplored the attempts to divide the party.

"I understand that in my absence, an MP of my party was stirring trouble against my state government. And also trying to divide the Biju Janata Dal. This is deplorable," Patnaik said.

Comments

Other News

Who checks the books?

I read about the news about the Coimbatore library over coffee this morning. On the face of it, the headline was about a political ‘war’ between the DMK and TVK. But what stayed with me was something much more important than the blame game behind what had transpired. A writer walking through

Development paradox: Falling poverty miracle and an inequality problem

India’s reduction in poverty over the past decade is a development achievement of considerable significance. The World Bank’s April 2026 ‘India Development Update’ estimates that the share of Indians living below the international extreme-poverty line of $3.00 per person per day i

In Arunachal, a river we call mother

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang is not just a river. For many of us, especially the Adi people, it is part of our family. Our grandparents fished in it. Children learned to swim in it. Our farms drink from it. When someone says a huge dam will be built on it, we do not hear the word "project".

A new retelling of the Mahabharata delves into key moments

In a time when every decision carries consequences and questions of ambition, power, loyalty, identity and moral choice continue to shape our lives, Dr. Arun Krishnan’s new book, ‘Mahakshana’ (Penguin India) offers a strikingly relevant retelling of the Mahabharata.

Cabinet approves viability gap funding to develop grid-scale energy storage systems

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Development of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems, with a total financial support of Rs.14,500 crore for the period FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The scheme aims to support the development o

Cabinet creates a pathway to absorb Agniveers in Defence Forces

An objective assessment in terms of organisational requirements and operational efficiency has brought out the outstanding performance of Agniveers in terms of skills, motivation levels, physical fitness and technological prowess. As envisaged earlier, based on merit, 25% of Agniveers will be offered reg