The suspended leaders are Golaka Chandra Sethi, Purnananda Jena, Prasanna Mishra, Alok Bhuian, Ambika Prasad Patnaik and Pradeepta Swain.

The leaders were suspended for demonstrations to obstruct Patnaik's visit to the constituencies and ``many other anti-social activities'' intended to denigrate the image of the party and its president, a BJD release said.

The release said that their cases with detail allegations have been sent to the disciplinary committee of the party for enquiry and recommendations.

Subsequent action will be taken on the recommendation of the disciplinary committee.

Meanwhile, the loyal camp has stepped up efforts to curtail the influence of Bijay Mahapatra, the chairman of the party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) who is heading the rebelgroup. Sources said that at several closed door meetings of the loyal leaders, including the chief Patnaik and Union Minister of State for Coal Dilip Ray, decision has been taken to constitute the state executive.

The state executive had not been constituted since the formation of the BJD. But the party president is now going to announce the state executive soon with a view to minimise the importance of the PAC headed by Mahapatra.

Sources said that several office-bearers identified with the rebel group will be changed and new office-bearers will be taken in. Damodar Rout is likely to be the new party spokesman in place of Amar Prasad Satpathy.

Talking to The Indian Express on Saturday, Leader of the Opposition Ramakrushna Patnaik said that Naveen Patnaik carries the legacy of Biju Patnaik in people's mind. ``This alone indicated the massive gathering and ovation to him despite attempts to sabotage the meetings,'' he added.