Bhubaneswar: The suspension of BJD's Kendrapara MP Baijayant 'Jay' Panda from the party on Wednesday has put a question mark on his political future. However, the stoic silence of both the sides a day after the suspension has added to the puzzle.

Sources close to Panda and those in the know of developments within the BJD said the two sides were working on their respective strategies for the future. But on the face of it, Panda seems to have three clear options before him.

Option 1

If Panda is hoping for a rapprochement, the best way out seems to wait for the tide to turn.

Leaders such as former finance minister Prafulla Ghadei, who was expelled by the party in 2014, and former minister, Raghunath Mohanty, suspended in the wake of his arrest in a dowry torture case in 2013, have been following this policy to get their suspensions revoked. Banki MLA Pravat Tripathy, who was suspended after his arrest in the money deposit collection scam in 2014, was taken into the party last year.

Option 2

The other way out would be to precipitate the situation and force the chief minister's hand. Once expelled, he would become an "unattached member" in the Lok Sabha. However, unattached members are obliged to abide by the party whip as the Supreme Court had made it clear in the case of Amar Singh and Jaya Prada following their expulsion by the Samajwadi Party in 2010.

Option 3

The Kendrapara MP can resign and force a bypoll, a prospect neither he nor Naveen Patnaik would relish.

Kendrapara being a BJD bastion, Panda would find winning toungh despite the good work he claims to have done in the constituency. Even if the BJP decides to throw its weight behind him, the going would be tough for the MP. What's makes things worse for the BJP is veteran leader Bijay Mohapatra turning a rebel. Without him, BJP would find it difficult to put up a good show in Kendrapara.