Bhubaneswar, Feb. 13 -- Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Thursday reprimanded Champua MLA Sanatan Mahakud for skipping the party's legislature meeting and questioned whether he was leaning towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The brief but significant conversation took place as Patnaik arrived at the Odisha Legislative Assembly ahead of the budget session. Spotting Mahakud, the former Chief Minister asked him about his absence from the BJD legislature party meeting held a day earlier.

"Why didn't you attend the party meeting yesterday?" Patnaik asked.

In response, Mahakud cited health reasons, saying, "I wasn't well yesterday."

However, Patnaik was not entirely convinced and promptly asked,...