BJD chalks out plan amid talks of another coup bid by Pyari

After barely a couple of days of silence and quietness, about 70 odd Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLAs, MPs and ministers reunited at Naveen Nivas, the chief minister’s residence, on Sunday evening to discuss about possible measures to be taken in case of another coup bid by the rebels.

Top leadership in the ruling party were alerted after a recent warning by the rebel group leader Pyari Mohan Mohapatara that he still enjoys the support of some MLAs and he would certainly not keep quiet if he is continued to be sidelined in the party.

Mohapatra was suspended from the party along with two MLAs for masterminding an unsuccessful coup bid against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik

However, the BJD leaders were tightlipped about the Sunday gathering.

“At Naveen Nivas we were having a was small reception party of chairpersons of government corporations, chairperson of WODC (West Odisha Development Corporation), MPs ,MLAs and ministers, whoever are present in Bhubaneswar. A little reception to explain to them about the developmental work we are trying to do, after my recent tour to the UK for DFID (Department for International Development) related work ,” Patnaik told media persons after the group discussion.

But sources said more than 60 MLAs and other BJD leaders met party supremo in small groups to chalk out strategy plans for another possible attempt to topple the government. Even though the incendiary leader Mohapatra has clarified that he is not planning to float a new party, sources said, his discussion with some Congress leaders even after the disciplinary action, triggered the emergency situation in BJD.

“I do not have the intention to topple the government. But if I am sidelined to such an extent that there will be no other alternative, then I might do something, “Mohapatra told a private regional channel after the disciplinary action.

Meanwhile, after settling dissident issues within the party by suspending the rebels and sacking the revolting ministers, Chief Minister Patnaik has initiated steps to weed out bureaucrats seen close to mutineer Pyari Mohan Mahapatra.

Patnaik made changes in key police posts in the capacity of the state home minister.

On Saturday, in a major IPS reshuffle, M Akshay was shunted out as Additional DG Personnel and was replaced by Shri Abhay.

Akhay has been placed as Director of Crime Records Bureau. Similarly S S Hansda was appointed as Director of State Forensic Laboratory and Dayal Gangwar was posted as Commandant, Second India Reserve Battalion (IRB).

On Sunday, there was speculation that the CM might appoint senior IPS leader Prakash Mishra as the new Director General of Police (DGP), by replacing present DGP Manmohan Praharaj, who has been in the post since 2008. The speculation gathered ground after Mishra, who is currently in charge of the Director General of the National Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence (NDRF and CD), met Patnaik on Sunday.