By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: BJD Supremo Naveen Patnaik’s decision to suspend 2 sitting MLAs Sanatan Mahakud and Arvinda Mohapatra appears to be a calculated move to reinforce internal discipline within the BJD at a time when Party is reorganizing in opposition.
By targeting influential figures, it signals zero tolerance for disloyalty, public criticism of the party, or potential defections—especially amid reports of BJP efforts to poach BJD leaders. The suspensions serve as a deterrent to prevent factionalism, emphasizing unity and adherence to the party line regardless of a member’s stature or background.
This aligns with Patnaik’s history of decisive actions to maintain control, potentially averting further erosion of the party’s strength in the assembly and sending a warning to other MLAs and leaders amid speculation of dissent. If expulsions follow, it could trigger by-elections in the two constituencies, testing BJD’s grassroots hold.
The development has left the political landscape in Keonjhar and Kendrapada districts in a state of flux, as supporters of the suspended leaders weigh their next moves. Whether this move helps the BJD consolidate its remaining strength or leads to further desertions remains the central question in Odisha’s evolving political narrative.
Key Reasons Behind the Suspension
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), led by Naveen Patnaik, suspended two MLAs—Sanatan Mahakud (from Champua constituency in Keonjhar district) and Arabinda Mohapatra (from Patkura in Kendrapara district)—on January 15, 2026, for “anti-party activities.” This action was announced in a brief statement by Patnaik himself. The suspensions were immediate and stemmed from the MLAs’ failure to align with the party’s directives, especially as BJD transitions into its role as the opposition after losing power to the BJP in the 2024 Odisha assembly elections.
Sanatan Mahakud: As a two-time MLA and reportedly the richest legislator in Odisha (with assets over ₹227 crore), Mahakud’s actions included publicly criticizing the previous BJD government under Patnaik during a meeting in Ghatagaon, Keonjhar, attended by current Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi of the BJP.
He was also absent from a BJD Legislature Party meeting in February 2025 and was seen as pursuing an independent path perceived as closer to the BJP. Mahakud has denied any wrongdoing, stating he should have been consulted before the suspension and insisting he did not engage in anti-party activities.
Arabinda Mohapatra: A first-time MLA and son of former minister Bijay Mohapatra, he had ongoing differences with the BJD’s Kendrapara district organization and failed to rally party workers effectively. Like Mahakud, his actions were viewed as not adhering to the party’s action plan and leaning toward independent or BJP-aligned stances. Mohapatra expressed surprise at the decision, claiming he had not made statements against the leadership or harmed the party, and plans to seek clarification from Patnaik.
