Naveen Patnaik to meet BJD leaders on Friday

Bhubaneswar: Shortly after arriving from Britain, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said he will be meeting party leaders in Bhubaneswar on Friday, amid reports of rebellion in the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). “Right decision will be taken at right time” Patnaik said.[caption id=“attachment_328119” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Cleansing the party. Image courtesy PIB”]  [/caption] He evaded questions on Rajya Sabha member Pyari Mohan Mohapatra allegedly attempting to dethrone him during his absence. Meanwhile, thousands of BJD workers and leaders Thursday welcomed Patnaik when he arrived in the state capital after a trip to Britain. Patnaik’s return was anxiously awaited by the party workers in the wake of the alleged rebellion by a section of BJD legislators, led by Mohapatra. Speaking to reporters here, Patnaik said he will be meeting legislators, parliament members and senior leaders of his BJD Friday morning and will take appropriate decision on the alleged rebellion at right time. State ministers, legislators and members of parliament greeted Patnaik with flowers as soon as he came out of the airport. People were also waiting for him at his official residence. Patnaik’s loyalists had alleged that Mohapatra Tuesday night held a meeting with a large number of legislators at his residence with an aim to destabilise the chief minister. They said Mohapatra aborted the move after realising that he did not have the required numbers in his favour. Mohapatra, who had been an advisor to the chief minister, however denied the allegations and said the legislators met him because they were unhappy with the party’s activities. IANS