Bhubaneswar: The suspension of Patkura MLA Arvind Mohapatra has rapidly evolved into a major political crisis for the Biju Janata Dal, with the young legislator directly challenging the party leadership in a way that has left BJD Supremo Naveen Patnaik and his advisors struggling to provide coherent justifications.
Since the order was issued, Shri Mohapatra has refused to retreat, instead demanding concrete proof and transparency, which has forced the BJD to change its narrative multiple times.
Initially, the party cited general anti-party activities, but as Shri Mohapatra continued to ask for specific evidence, BJD spokespersons began promoting a complex theory known as the Midday Operation. They alleged that Arvind was part of a triple-threat conspiracy involving his father, Bijoy Mohapatra, and another suspended MLA, Sanatan Mahakud, to destabilize the party from within.
However, the young lawmaker has successfully poked holes in this story by highlighting the lack of evidence and pointing out that he barely knows or interacts with Shri Mahakud outside of formal legislative greetings. This forceful demand for straight answers instead of maze-like stories has put the BJD on the defensive, making their shifting allegations look like an afterthought.
The BJD is facing an especially tough time because Shri Mohapatra’s suspension has backfired at the grassroots level. Instead of isolating him, the move has triggered widespread protests in the Kendrapara and Derabish regions, where hundreds of loyal party workers have come out in his support. These supporters have openly accused a coterie of leaders in Bhubaneswar of hatching a conspiracy against Shri Mohapatra to protect their own interests. This internal revolt is particularly damaging because it suggests that the party high command has lost touch with its local base, and that Arvind has successfully built a localized loyalty that is stronger than the party brand.
Furthermore, the young legislator has challenged the central authority of Naveen Patnaik by maintaining a high profile in the Assembly even after his suspension.
By raising sharp questions to the BJP Government and asserting his role as a representative of the people, he is demonstrating that he can function effectively without the BJD’s backing.
This defiance, coupled with the party’s inability to provide a convincing reply to his questions about why a first-time MLA with only eighteen months in office would be treated as a major threat, has fueled speculation that the BJD is experiencing a deep leadership crisis. As the party struggles to manage the fallout, the Mohapatra case has become a symbol of internal friction that threatens the unity of the BJD ahead of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections