The conflict between opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and ruling BJP, on Friday, escalated as the former urged Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati to expel MLA Santosh Khatua from the legislative Assembly.
The BJD alleged that the Nilgiri legislator has made “highly objectionable and derogatory” remarks against national icons, women, and weaker sections of society.
A BJD delegation submitted a memorandum to the Governor, demanding stringent action against Khatua. The petition cited the MLA’s alleged abusive comments targeting Mahatma Gandhi, including remarks reportedly made on the floor of the Assembly.
The regional party also accused the MLA of hurling abuses at BJD general secretary (organisation) Lekhasri Samantsinghar in July after she alleged Khatua’s involvement in a poaching case.
The party stated that the remarks, which went viral on social media, severely damaged her reputation, the memorandum stated.
The memorandum detailed multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against Khatua, including multiple FIRs registered against across Balasore district, protests by BJD workers and civil society organisations, pleas sent to the President, the Odisha State Women’s Commission, the DGP and the Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
ମହାତ୍ମାଗାନ୍ଧୀଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ଅଶୋଭନୀୟ ମନ୍ତବ୍ୟ ପ୍ରସଙ୍ଗରେ ବିଜେପି ବିଧାୟକ ସନ୍ତୋଷ ଖଟୁଆଙ୍କ ବହିଷ୍କାର ଦାବିରେ ରାଜ୍ୟପାଳଙ୍କୁ ସ୍ମାରକପତ୍ର ଦେଲା ବିଜେଡି।
ପୂର୍ବରୁ ମହିଳାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ଅଭୋଦ୍ରଚିତ ଟିପ୍ପଣୀ ପାଇଁ ବିଧାୟକଙ୍କ ଉପରେ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟାନୁଷ୍ଠାନ ନିଆଯାଇନାହିଁ।
ଅନ୍ୟ ରାଜ୍ୟରେ ଏଭଳି ଅପରାଧ ପାଇଁ ତୁରନ୍ତ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟାନୁଷ୍ଠାନ… pic.twitter.com/MXQWG6pJKn
— Biju Janata Dal (@bjd_odisha) December 12, 2025
The BJD strongly criticized the ruling BJP for what it termed “continued inaction,” alleging that no tangible measures have been taken against the MLA.
“Rather, he is being paraded as the poster boy of BJP and has been seen accompanying the CM, Deputy CMs, and MPs in various programmes,” the party alleged.
The BJD urged the Governor to direct authorities to gather all facts and evidence related to the complaints and ensure Khatua’s immediate expulsion from the Assembly.
The party claimed that the continued inaction has only emboldened Khatua to make further such controversial statement including one in the Assembly targeting Mahatma Gandhi.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahalaing stated that the BJP has officially denounced Khatua’s remarks concerning Mahatma Gandhi.
Khatua, however, has denied making abusive remarks against the BJD general secretary, claiming he was merely responding to her questions.
