Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal Tuesday suspended Shreemayee Mishra, its general secretary (women affairs), citing anti-party activities. The party issued an official order confirming her suspension, which followed criticism over her social media posts indirectly targeting the BJD by using terms such as ‘Dhritarashtra’.
The move came after prior warnings, according to party sources.
Mishra, however, dismissed the suspension, saying she had not renewed her membership in over a year. “If a party suspends someone who is no longer a member, the world will only laugh,” she said.
The former leader asserted that she would not compromise on her dignity and self-respect. “For years, Odisha has been ruled under the influence of a non-Odia. To disrespect the honour of an Odia woman is unacceptable. A true leader who invokes respect for mothers has now proved that he cannot even take his own decisions,” Mishra said.
She added that she would never give up her self-worth to prove her identity as an Odia woman.
The BJD had September 12 suspended its senior leader, Prafulla Mallik, a former minister, after he raised questions about its style of functioning following the 2024 election defeat