Odisha’s state BJP leadership is likely to take disciplinary action against its Puri MLA Jayant Sarangi whose open support for the ongoing beautification work around the 12th century Shree Jagannath Temple under the Puri Shree Mandir Heritage Corridor project has resulted in acute embarrassment for the party.

The party has been opposing the project on the ground that the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMSAR) Act has been violated during its execution.

Sarangi is of the view that the ongoing construction under the heritage corridor project that was launched last year should be completed soon. “All the ongoing work should be completed before the monsoon hits Odisha. Otherwise, people of Puri would face a lot of problems due to the deep pits dug around the temple for the construction of different facilities,” he said, adding that he has been elected by the people to ensure that the development works should continue in the holy town of Puri.

He has also urged parties to refrain from doing politics over the issue. His views are, however, contradictory to the stand taken by the BJP leadership which has been vehemently opposing the Puri heritage corridor work citing that all work should be stopped as it violates the rules of the AMSAR act. The act prohibits any new construction within 100 metres of a national protected monument.

Following the embarrassment resulting from Puri MLA’s statement the party is mulling disciplinary action against him. The chances of him being suspended are not being ruled out. BJP state chief Samir Mohanty told The Telegraph: “We have taken up the issue seriously. We will refer the matter to the disciplinary committee.”

On being asked whether the party would suspend the Puri MLA for taking an anti-party stand on the issue, Mohanty said. “No one is above the party. Whatever the disciplinary committee decides, we will abide by it.”

Sources said the party would ask Sarangi to either follow the party’s stand or face the consequence, including suspension. However, Sarangi maintained that he is not scared of any disciplinary action by the party.

“For me my home town is bigger than the party itself,” said Sarangi.

Even former Union minister and BJP’s Sundergarh MP Jual Oram on Sunday targeted the state government on the issue and demanded that all the project related work should be kept on hold till the high court gives a final verdict on the issue.

“Even BJD MP Pinaki Misra had lied in Parliament on the issue saying that only four toilets would be constructed near the shrine,” Oram told reporters, adding that the party would apprise the national leadership of the latest developments on the issue shortly.

Earlier, BJP’s Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi and national spokesperson Sambit Patra had visited Puri lodged their protest against the ongoing project and demanded immediate stoppage of work.

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the Odisha government should ensure that all beautification works are carried out within the purview of law.

On the other hand, the BJD said all works are going on as per the law. “No one would be able to stop the developmental works going on in Puri,” said BJD leader and Cuttack mayor Subhash Singh.