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Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik may expel three suspended legislators -- Prabhat Samant Ray, Jagannath Mallik and Kumudini Patnaik -- of Biju Janata Dal to counter the activities of the rebels, party sources told rediff.com.
They were suspended for their anti-party activities a few months back.
The chief minister, however, suffered a major setback after three party legislators -- Prasanna Acharya, Bhartwahari Mahatab and Prasanna Patsani -- joined the suspended rebels.
The rebels have elected Acharya as their leader and called for a BJD parliamentary meet on November 17 to chalk out their strategy for the winter session of the Parliament, a senior BJD leader close to Patnaik told rediff.com.
Left with only four legislators in the Lok Sabha, Patnaik has trying to persuade the rebels to join him. He even sent his ministers to convince them.
After having failed to get any response, he is considering expelling the rebels before November 17. This would also enable him to re-negotiate with the other rebel legislators, party sources said.
If he expels the three, then Acharya's election as the BJD parliamentary leader would stand cancelled.
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