BJD looks up to Naveen for action against rebels

After successfully thwarting an attempt to challenge his numero uno status in the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and orchestrate a split in the party by one of his closest aides, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik may bite the bullet to quell forever, any murmur of dissent against his leadership.

Bolstered by the swarming support of legislators, MPs and the party rank and file, Patnaik is likely to go for 'disciplinary action' against the handful of party men who had unsuccessfully attempted to dethrone him while he was away on an eight day tour to London.

Patnaik, who returned to Bhubaneswar this evening, was given a resounding welcome at the airport, from where he went to his residence in a large procession in the company of his party MLAs and MPs and cheered by thousands of people.

He was later closeted with his party leaders at his residence to discuss on the political situation and possible disciplinary action against the rebels.

Earlier on his return from London to New Delhi on Thursday, he held parleys with party MPs- Baijayant Panda and Pinaki Mishra there, presumably to evolve strategies to steer his party in the aftermath of an 'abortive coup' hatched by Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, a Rajya Sabha MP and an advisor of Patnaik till recently.

Even as the coup attempt initiated by Rajya Sabha member Pyari Mohan Mahapatra has fizzled out due to last minute ditches by some rebel MLAs, everybody in the party-including Naveen loyalists and the rebels-were eagerly waiting what actions the 'quiet and unpredictable' Chief Minister will take, who has never hesitated to punish the dissidents before.

“I have just returned from London. After discussing with party officials I will certainly see what is to be done,” Patnaik said media persons in New Delhi on Thursday, immediately after his arrival from UK, his maiden official foreign tour.

It may be noted, on Tuesday night, speculations were rife in the city about a plot by Mohapatra to dislodge Patnaik as Chief Minister and form an alternative government with support from the Congress.Mohapatra was a close confidante of Patnaik till recently and had fallen out with him on the eve of panchayat elections in the state in February, this year. After lying low for couple months, Mohapatra, feeling ignored and sidelined, had assembled his supporters at his residence where 33 MLAs including three ministers were present.

A signature campaign by Mohapatra supporters had led to the speculation that the rebels may split the party, which has 104 MLAs in the Assembly and stake claim to form a new government.