Bhubaneswar, April 9: Expelled BJD leader and Rajya Sabha member Pyari Mohan Mohapatra today floated his new political party — Odisha Jan Morcha (OJM).

“The party will work with the sole objective of ousting the corrupt BJD government from power,” said Mohapatra, who was expelled from the party after his abortive attempt to dislodge Naveen Patnaik in May last year.

BJD leaders said the party would have no impact. “Like many other parties floated in the past, the OJM will also fade away,” said health minister Damodar Rout.

“A number of like-minded parties are in touch with me. A possible alliance with other parties will be decided on later,” Mohapatra said, predicting that his party would win between 80 and 85 seats.

“I will certainly welcome leaders from the BJD who are willing to join the OJM. We are offering them 30 days to join the party. Our doors will not be opened for those who would like to join the party after being denied BJD tickets before the elections,” he said.

Political observers feel disgruntled BJD leaders may join hands with Mohapatra if they are denied tickets during the Assembly polls. The new outfit could become the rallying point for dissidents and split BJD votes.

However, BJD leaders feel otherwise.

Parliamentary affairs minister Kaplataru Das said: “Mohapatra is only day-dreaming. He cannot even win a ward member election. Mohapatra has been able to go to the Rajya Sabha twice only because of Naveen’s blessings.”

BJP state unit president K.V. Singh Deo said: “There is no possibility of the BJP going into an alliance with any party including the OJM. We will fight elections on our own.”