Bhubaneswar: A forum launched earlier this month in Odisha by dissident Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Pyari Mohan Mohapatra has sought permission from the police to hold a rally and public meeting here on October 28, police said on Monday.
Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police Nitinjit Singh said he has received an application from the Odisha Jana Morcha (OJM) and a decision would soon be taken in this regard. "They (OJM) have sought permission to hold the meeting. We will decide on the matter soon," he told a news agency.
Official sources said authorities are likely to give permission to Mohapatra and his forum to hold the rally and public meeting in state capital Bhubaneswar.
Mohapatra, a Rajya Sabha member, had been Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik`s non-official advisor for over a decade.
He was suspended from the party after he allegedly plotted a political `coup` to unseat Patnaik. The alleged `coup` of May 29, saw 30 MLAs and three ministers of the Naveen Patnaik meet Mohapatra at his residence, at a time when the chief minister was in Britain. Patnaik was forced to cut his trip short and return.
Earlier this month, Mohapatra launched the Odisha Jana Morcha, a political forum to establish "internal democracy in the state`s ruling party". He is also expected to announce details about the new forum on October 19, Morcha spokesperson Jagneswar Babu said.
IANS
