Patnaik cracks whip, suspends two BJD MLAs amid BJP gains in Odisha

The BJD has faced a series of setbacks at the hands of the BJP in Odisha in recent months, the latest being the Nuapara bypoll in November 2025. Just ahead of the nomination process, the BJP poached Jay Dholakia, who was set to be the BJD candidate. Dholakia went on to win the seat on a BJP ticket, while the BJD slipped to third place.

Against this backdrop, BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik on Thursday surprised party leaders by suspending two sitting MLAs - Sanatan Mahakud and Arvind Mohapatra - on charges of anti-party activities. Sources told ET that the move, coming barely two months ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections, is aimed at sending a strong message to the party's leadership and cadre about discipline and authority.

Mahakud, who represents the Champua Assembly constituency in Keonjhar district, has been openly critical of the party in recent months. In February last year, Patnaik had publicly warned Mahakud for allegedly getting close to the BJP.


The suspension of Arvind Mohapatra, a first-time MLA from Patkura in Kendrapara district and the son of veteran BJD leader Bijay Mohapatra, came as a bigger surprise. Mohapatra has sought details from the party leadership on the allegations against him.