Bhubaneswar, Feb 28: In a major development in Odisha politics, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday expelled former MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal for his alleged indiscipline and anti-party activities, party sources said.

“Sri Pravat Ranjan Biswal, State Council Member of Biju Janata Dal, is hereby expelled from the party for his indiscipline and anti-party activities with immediate effect,” reads an office order issued by BJD Vice President Pratap Jena.

The move came hours after Biswal openly criticised the party’s decision to nominate Santrupt Misra as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls.

Earlier in the day, party supremo Naveen Patnaik announced the names of Santrupt Misra and Dr. Datteswar Hota as nominees, a move that has triggered discontent among senior leaders.

Also Read: Internal Dissent Surfaces In BJD Over Rajya Sabha Candidates

Biswal, voicing sharp displeasure, questioned the transparency of the process and indirectly hinted at financial irregularities, asking who had taken Rs 4,000 crore from the party.

Though Biswal refrained from naming anyone directly, his remarks have intensified murmurs of factionalism within the BJD. His expulsion underscores the growing unease among certain sections of the party over candidate selection and internal decision-making.