Bhubaneswar, Nov. 21: BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who is critical of the party's parliamentary leader in Lok Sabha, Bhartruhari Mahatab, today said he was yet to get the reply to the showcause notice issued to Mahatab.

Naveen said: "We have not received any reply yet."

Naveen issued a showcause notice to Mahatab after the latter had reportedly given statements on November 3 that the party should go for an alliance with the Congress as it was no more untouchable in the context of the changing political scenario at the national level.

Next day, Naveen had denied any possible alliance with the Congress and maintained the party's policy of equal distance from the Congress and the BJP.

Sources said Naveen was annoyed with Mahatab as he also issued a statement to the media that he had argued for an alliance with the Congress at the behest of the chief minister. What caused more embarrassment to the party was that Mahatab also reportedly told a local TV channel that the BJD was scared of the CBI as the agency was investigating the money deposit collection cases, in which some BJD leaders are reportedly involved.

Since then, there was speculation that Naveen could take action against him. Mahatab, too, had reportedly said he would not be able to attend the party's Biju centenary celebrations in New Delhi held yesterday because of his engagements in the state.