Bhubaneswar, June 8: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today sought an explanation from Dhenkanal MP Tathagata Satpathy for calling former minister and BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra a thief.

Yesterday while addressing a public meeting in his constituency, Satpathy, the four-time MP from Dhenkanal and son of former chief minister Nandini Satpathy, lashed out at the BJP and the Congress and called their leaders thieves.

Tathagata's outburst did not end with his attack on BJP and Congress leaders, he also targetted his own party colleagues.

"In our party there were four to five thieves and Naveen babu has dropped them from the ministry. One of them was Debi Mishra and I just want to tell the names of others. But the question is that to how many people Naveen Patnaik will drop," Sathpathy said.

Mishra, along with nine others, was dropped from the ministry on May 15. The ministers who were dropped by Naveen had been drafted for organisational work.

Satpathy's statement was enough to trigger a political storm in the state. Hurt by his remarks, an aggrieved Mishra called on the chief minister and lodged a complaint with him.

On getting the complaint, chief minister said: "I have given a great deal of important political work to certain leaders of our party. Nobody should take it otherwise. What has been said is not good."

Though Naveen continued to maintain that some ministers were axed because their services were required for organisational work, party workers believe otherwise. They said that in the recently concluded rural polls the BJD did not fare well in the constituencies of the ministers who had been dropped. The other reason, they said, was the chief minister's desire to revamp the party's image.

Angry over Satpathy's outburst, Mishra told The Telegraph: "I consider him to be my friend. We are still on good terms. I am yet to understand why he tried to humiliate me in public. My well-wishers, including people of my constituency Barmba and Narasighpur, are deeply hurt. My life is open for public scrutiny."

Those close to Mishra said Satpathy was upset because the BJD has last month roped in his arch-rival in district politics Sudhir Samal, a former Congress leader, into the party.

Besides, Mishra, who was moderating the party's state executive meet presided over by Naveen last month, had asked Satpathy to be brief in his address. Satpathy did not like Mishra's intervention and abruptly ended his speech.

Well aware that his statement on Mishra would displease the leadership, Satpathy today made a series of tweets praising Naveen. "Him (Naveen) dropping ministers from state cabinet clear indication. My constituents accept, appreciate & support stand of CM Naveen Patnaik," Satpathy tweeted.

In another tweet, he said: "Naveen is a clean leader. Doesn't tolerate anti-people acts even within BJD."

A visibly embarrassed party leadership today tried to down play the issue.

"What circumstances led him (Satpathy) to make such a statement will be examined. Those who have been dropped have been assigned important party responsibilities," said party spokesperson Sameer Dash.

However, the Opposition did not want to miss an opportunity to embarrass the BJD. Vice-president of the state BJP unit Sameer Mohanty said: "Naveen Patnaik has said he dropped the ministers to utilise them for party work, but his MP Satpathy has aired a different view. Now the chief minister owes and explanation to the people on the issue."

Congress legislature party chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati said: "Even though Naveen babu dropped a number of ministers, there are some thieves who are still in the ministry. Satpathy has spilled the beans."

Panda issue

Subhendra Nayak, a social activist, today lodged an FIR with police on the issue of throwing eggs on Kendrapara MP Baijayant 'Jay' Panda at Mahanga in Kendrapara on May 30.

Panda had taken a stand that he would not file the FIR as the incident had occurred in presence of the police and media. Panda had said that he wanted to see how law would take its course on the issue.

It was alleged that supporters of health minister and Mahanga MLA, Pratap Jena, were behind the egg attack on Panda. A charge Jena had subsequently denied.