Loss is entirely BJD's : Twitter reacts to Baijayant Panda's suspension

With Biju Janata Dal (BJD) finally showing doors to Baijayant Panda, popularly known as Jai Panda, many Twitterati weighed in on the developing story. Panda is extremely well known on Twitter and has fans for his candid views on both sides of the political divide. Many said that it is just a matter of time before Panda joins BJP. Some said that Panda has lot of explaining to do regarding the allegations leveled by his party. But most believed that it is a big blow to BJD, as articulate Panda is its national face, 

Predictably, Panda took to Twitter to confirm the news that he has been suspended from BJD and also said that Odisha CM Navin Patnaik has been mislead. 

*I'm shocked at this news
*Very very sad @Naveen_Odisha didn't see thru the conspiracy agnst me led by an IAS ofcr now controlling th party
*I vehemently deny the allegations agnst me, they are entirely false & baseless
*I will pray to Jagannath for guidance b4 i respond further

— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) January 24, 2018

Here's how Twitter reacted:

The loss is entirely BJD and, if one may say, Naveen Babu's. You will be able to serve the people of Odisha better from outside the BJD in its present form and also contribute to national politics. Blessings of Lord Jagannath surely with you. Bests,

— GhoseSpot (@SandipGhose) January 24, 2018

Sad development Jay. Naveen babu doesn't realise he will lose a valuable colleague.
This could be the beginning of the end of BJD.

— Parag Hede (@Indepthcomments) January 24, 2018

Sir always felt that you are the right person in wrong party. Please consider joining bjp

— I am Vikas ... (@LokeshGidra) January 24, 2018

Mr panda owing thousand thousands of public money to the govt can start his own party. He has survived till now because of the blessing of naveen patnaik

— Parshuram Sahu (@ParshuramSahu3) January 24, 2018

* Will Join BJP after levelling a series of allegations against my ex-Boss. https://t.co/jToStlrY4H

— Rofl Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) January 24, 2018

The end of BJD, it would seem, is nigh. https://t.co/1LVyLWT8QH

— Sreemoy Talukdar (@sreemoytalukdar) January 24, 2018

Except you, everyone new it for months. Only one question Panda Babu: Did you ask to be BJD's member to Public Accounts Committee after a loan waiver of Rs 2300 crore to your company by Modi government or not? https://t.co/dO1cyjBqEa

— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) January 24, 2018

Huge Huge loss for @bjd_odisha & @CMO_Odisha. Big Vacant space which can be hardly feel up!! BJD will surely miss @PandaJay https://t.co/zDX4TTMtGs

— imSray (@SatyajitRay1110) January 24, 2018

You are most welcome to the right side of politics sir. https://t.co/onJYwEtb3W

— The KhalNayak (@SujnanNayak) January 24, 2018

BJP to join BJP... https://t.co/WfKRye7ivl

— Man Aman Singh Chhina (@manaman_chhina) January 24, 2018

Its just a #ShamefulAct Biju Patnaik’s staunch supporters like @pandajay , @dillipray are being suspended other leaders like @damarout and @rajaaswain are bottom lined in the party but non-odia bureaucrats are ruling our State. https://t.co/trihp9Ta6P

— sanjaypatra (@sanjaypatra1) January 24, 2018

Suspending @PandaJay from @bjd_odisha in a hasty way to distract the media attention and deflect the public resentment from the ongoing #KunduliSuicide where the state government has completely failed to give justice to the victim resulting suicide. https://t.co/trihp9Ta6P

— sanjaypatra (@sanjaypatra1) January 24, 2018

Nobody is above party's ruling and norms.However, big a personality may b he/she shdn't violate the party's policy.Indiscipline at it's peak!!If you ask ur conscience u wl get ur https://t.co/vtfQoltJQw late good decision 4 d party. @otvnews wl b an agent of BJP now. https://t.co/g30mDmoGIC

— Amaresh chandra Jena (@ACJena) January 24, 2018

Days after BJD MP Baijayant Panda took to social media to raise his voice against Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, he has been suspended from the party. The charges against him range from indulging in anti-party activities to 'monopolistic utilisation' of MPLAD funds. Panda had said that there is an 'orchestrated campaign' to discredit him. 

Many political pundits believe that this decision was long time coming as Panda increasingly refused to tow Naveen Patnaik's line inside the party. Panda, who is extremely popular on Twitter often praised various schemes of the Modi government. He even faced violent protests from BJD workers lin May last year in Kendrapara when eggs were thrown at him. Panda however said at that time that he wil not be cowed down by such protests. 

Panda's next political move will be closely watched at a time when BJP is gaining traction in Odisha. The Assembly poll for the state is due next year.  Panda supported demonetization, hailed PM Modi's foreign speeches, said EVMs are tamper proof and even supported the concept of One Nation, One Election. In a way for long, he wasn't the quintessential opposition leader and perhaps that precipitated his fall in BJD.