India, April 11 -- In a significant development that hints at internal unease within the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), senior party leader Prafulla Mallik on Friday made a series of pointed remarks regarding the role and positioning of VK Pandian in the party.

This comes shortly after BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik appeared to extend a clean chit to Pandian in the wake of the controversy surrounding the party's stand on the Waqf Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

Addressing the media, Mallik stated, "Naveen Babu is coming forward in support of Pandian, but it is Pandian himself who must step ahead and give a clear explanation. He must clarify his position before the people and the party."

Why Naveen Patnaik Replying On Pandian Issue? Mallik further said, ...