Bhubaneswar, Feb. 28 -- Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday expelled former Odisha MLA and party's State Council Member, Pravat Ranjan Biswal, for "indiscipline" and "anti-party" activities.

"Pravat Ranjan Biswal, State Council Member of Biju Janata Dal, is hereby expelled from the Party for his indiscipline and anti-party activities with immediate effect," a notice from BJD Pratap Jena said.

This comes ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections. Naveen Patnaik, president of the Biju Janata Dal and Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, announced two candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from the state, including one described as a "common candidate" seeking support from across party lines.

Addressing the reporters, Patnaik ann...