Bhubaneswar, May 25: In a significant political development in Odisha, Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray on Monday resigned from the primary membership of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), citing alleged humiliation and marginalisation within the party.
In his resignation letter addressed to BJD president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Samantaray stated that despite his long-standing dedication and commitment towards the party, he had recently been feeling “systematically belittled” and sidelined.
“I have always dedicated myself to the interest of the party and worked with utmost conviction and commitment. However, I feel that of late, I have been systematically belittled in the party and that the party does not require my services anymore,” Samantaray stated in his letter while requesting Patnaik to accept his resignation.
While stepping down from the party, the Rajya Sabha member also expressed gratitude to Naveen Patnaik for nominating him to the Upper House of Parliament. He said he would always remain indebted to the BJD supremo for giving him the opportunity to serve the people of undivided Cuttack district and raise Odisha-related issues at the national level.
Samantaray had been associated with the BJD for several years and his sudden resignation is expected to create political ripples in the state. However, he has not yet disclosed his future political plans.
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