Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday removed Soumya Ranjan Patnaik from the post of vice-president of the party.

Soumya Ranjan is currently the BJD MLA from the Khandapada Assembly seat in Nayagarh district.

He is also the editor of Sambad, the largest circulated Odia paper.

The BJD in a media release said: “Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, vice-president, Biju Janata Dal, is hereby removed from the post of vice-president with immediate effect.”

No reasons have been cited for the action against him. Political sources said Soumya was punished for constantly criticising V.K. Pandian, the private secretary to chief minister Naveen Patnaik, in his paper and putting the government and the party in an embarrassing situation.

Soumya questioned Pandian’s style of functioning and his visit to different parts of the state using the helicopter hired by the government.

On the other hand, Soumya was targeted by a host of BJD leaders including Pratap Keshari Deb for attacking Pandian.

They demanded action should be taken against Soumya for criticising the chief minister’s office.

Reacting to the action against him, Soumya said: “The order of my removal carries the signature of Naveen Patnaik. I still doubt whether it is the chief minister’s real or fake signature.”

Soumya said he was removed from his post only two days after he had sought a meeting with Naveen.

“Surprisingly, I have been removed from the post of the vice-president. Hence, I suspect that the signature is not genuine.”

Soumya further said: “I have lost nothing. There are many leaders in the party who hold key posts but are not allowed to do anything.

“Everyone knows what powers I enjoyed as the party’s vice-president. It’s an ornamental post.”

Soumya also maintained that it’s the prerogative of the chief minister and party president to appoint or fire leaders in the party organisation or in the ministry.

“This is not the end of the road for me,” said Soumya.