Former Odisha Minister Prafulla Kumar Mallik has been suspended from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) with immediate effect for his involvement in "anti-party activities."
An order issued by the party reads, "Prafulla Kumar Mallik, former MLA Kamakhyanagar, District Dhenkanal, is hereby suspended from Biju Janata Dal for his involvement in anti-party activities with immediate effect."
The suspension follows discontent among some members, with two party leaders, N Bhaskar Rao and Lal Bihari Himirika, having resigned a few days ago. Mallik, a four-time legislator, had also said he would be leaving the party after these resignations.
Meanwhile, former Union Minister and Congress leader Srikant Kumar Jena criticised the BJD for its decision to abstain from voting in the Vice-Presidential election. He accused the Naveen Patnaik-led party of working in "tandem with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)." Jena argued that the BJD's non-participation helped the NDA candidate, CP Radhakrishnan, secure the post of Vice President.
The BJD abstained from voting, as did the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had also announced it would "boycott" the poll, citing public anger in Punjab over a lack of help from the central and state governments.
National Democratic Alliance-backed CP Radhakrishnan was elected as the 15th Vice President of India on Tuesday.
Also read: Odisha hikes EV subsidy on two-wheelers to ₹30,000
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