BJD brands Swain a 'betrayer'

Branding party member of Parliament Harihar Swain as 'a betrayer' for voting in favour of the United Progressive Alliance government in the trust vote, the Biju Janata Dal on Wednesday asked the people of Orissa's Ganjam district to socially ostracise him.

"Swain has not only betrayed the party but also lakhs of people in Ganjam district who voted him to the Lower House on the Biju Janata Dal 's symbol," Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.

"The Aska MP had hurt the swabhiman of Ganjam as well as of Orissa," Patnaik said adding that he deceived the people who elected him to Parliament with high expectations.

Confirming that Swain had been summarily expelled from the party for violating whip, BJD general secretary Narendra Swain told PTI that the Aska MP was a "betrayer" and the party would not give Swain a chance to explain his stand. "We are also writing a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker to disqualify Swain as a member of the House," Narendra Swain said.

Harihar Swain, a former Congress minister, who joined BJD before the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, was fielded from Aska constituency in Ganjam district which was earlier represented by party president Naveen Patnaik as well as his father, the legendary Biju Patnaik.

Party leaders said Swain not only failed as an MP but also lowered BJD's image.

Describing Swain's role as dubious, BJD MP from Jajpur Mohan Jena told PTI that the Aska MP attended all meetings held before the trust vote without giving room for suspicion. "The Aska MP had been a victim of horse trading," Jena claimed.