24 years after Biju Patnaik confidant was exeplled from BJD, Naveen welcomes his son back

IN WHAT is being seen as a reunion of ‘Biju Parivar’, BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Thursday inducted Arabinda Mohapatra, son of BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra, one of the founding members of the BJD who was expelled from the party 24 years ago.

Arabinda, a greenhorn in politics, has been actively involved in public-connect exercise in his father’s bastion, Patkura Assembly segment in coastal Kendrapada district, after quitting his corporate job abroad.

“We welcome you to the BJD. Work hard for the district of Kendrapada. You have my blessings and please thank your father also,” Patnaik said at his residence.

Addressing supporters outside later, he said: “I welcome you all to Biju Parivar. I welcome Arabinda Mohapatra, son of Bijoy Babu, to the BJD. You all continue to do good work for Kendrapada.”

Although the BJD now conducts most of its induction programmes at the Sankha Bhawan, it headquarters in Bhubaneswar, its decision to welcome Bijoy’s son at Naveen Niwas in Patnaik’s presence carries political significance.

Bijoy, a four-time MLA from Patkura between 1980 and 2000, was known to be a confidant of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, father of the current Chief Minister. He was known to be the most powerful person in Biju’s cabinet between 1990 and 1995 with plum portfolios.

After the death of Biju Patnaik on April 17, 1997, Bijoy was instrumental in BJD’s formation and bringing Biju’s younger son Naveen Patnaik to lead the outfit. He, however, headed the party’s political affairs committee and opposed most decisions of Patnaik, which is believed to be the reason for his exit from the BJD.

In 2000, when the BJD first fought Assembly polls in alliance with the BJP, Bijoy was dramatically prevented