Bhubaneswar, Feb 13: The political atmosphere in Odisha Assembly turned tense on Thursday as BJD supremo and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik reprimanded Champua MLA Sanatan Mahakud for skipping the BJD legislature party meeting held a day earlier. 

The incident is being seen as part of Patnaik’s efforts to strengthen the party and prevent further defections following its debacle in the recent elections.

As he entered the Assembly for the Budget Session, Patnaik directly confronted Mahakud about his absence. When the MLA cited health issues as the reason, Patnaik was not convinced and asked pointedly, “Are you leaning towards BJP?” The brief yet intense exchange has sparked speculation about potential cracks within the BJD.

With the party facing setbacks and leaders reportedly being approached by the BJP, Patnaik appears to be making a determined effort to keep his legislators together. While this interaction may seem minor, it has triggered serious discussions in political circles, indicating the growing pressure on the BJD leadership to retain its members.

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