BHUBANESWAR: The BJP faces a dilemma on whether to expel Bonai MLA Bhimsen Choudhury from the party or not. The BJP State unit seems divided over the issue even as Choudhury remains suspended. A powerful section of the party, led by State president Jual Oram, has reportedly recommended to the Central leadership for his expulsion while a majority in the party wants the suspension be revoked. Choudhury was suspended shortly after the Rajya Sabha election on July 17, 2010, for abstaining in violation of the party whip. The MLA went missing from June 14 last year only to surface at Bonai on June 17. The party registered an FIR in a City police station alleging that Choudhury was kidnapped by two members of the ruling BJD, including Government Deputy Chief Whip Arun Sahu. Much to the embarrassment of the party, Choudhury denied that he was abducted and justified his abstention saying the party decision to vote for Congress-sponsored Independent candidate Tara Ranjan Patnaik was not acceptable to him. Claiming that he believed in democracy, the BJP MLA then told the media that as a member of the Assembly he had every right to decide for which candidate to vote for. The decision of the party to vote for a particular candidate was like gagging him, he argued. Once a protege of Oram, Choudhury, who runs a flourishing transport business in mining sector, turned a bitter critic of his mentor for reasons best known to them. Sources said Choudhury should not be blamed for defying the party whip. It was the Central leadership of the BJP which was in favour of party’s abstention in the Rajya Sabha election. The high command wanted the party to maintain equi-distance from both the Congress and the BJD. However, the decision of the high command was not acceptable to the party MLAs (seven, including an Independent) who wanted to support the Congress-sponsored Independent candidate to teach BJD a lesson. Oram took up the matter with the Central leadership following pressure from the party MLAs and the Central leadership conceded the demand of its State unit. While Oram and his company are trying hard to convince the Central leadership for Choudhury’s expulsion, the section opposed to it said the suspension be revoked in the greater interest of the party. The two leaders should bury the hatchet and work for the unity of the party, they advised. Choudhury is representing Bonai constituency which was once a stronghold of Oram. The BJP supremo started his political career from Bonai and was elected twice to the Assembly from this segment.
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