Mass exit from BJD in Bhadrak
Bhadrak: The BJD has suffered a major setback in the Bhadrak Lok Sabha constituency. Several senior leaders, including former Bhadrak MP Manjulata Mandal and former Dhamnagar MLA Muktikant Mandal, resigned from the party’s primary membership on Saturday following recent suspensions and internal strife.
Mandal was joined by former district president Jagannath Swain and several other leaders. Pranay Das, Shyamsundar Mahapatra, former Simulia MLA candidate Subasini Sahu and her husband Shashi Sahu, Pranay Sahu, Antara Sarpanch Rashmita Jena, Mahatipur women leader Bhanumati Sahu, committee members Sonali Das, Ravindra Sethi, Arun Raut, and Sukanti Barik, and several party leaders from the Bhadrak Lok Sabha constituency resigned from the party.
The resignations were submitted to BJD President Naveen Patnaik.
Speaking at a meeting at a convention center in Bhadrak, Muktikant alleged that he had spent years strengthening the party, but was “illegally suspended” due to a conspiracy by certain individuals.
He claimed that this move has caused deep anger in the area and could lead to the party’s demise in the district.
He said, “The BJD will be wiped out from Bhadrak district in the coming days.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Jagannath Swain said that he had been associated with the party since his student days, inspired by the ideals of Biju Patnaik.
He alleged that the party has deviated from its core principles and is now under the control of certain individuals, leading to the neglect of founding members.
He said that his resignation was in protest against such developments.
The simultaneous departure of senior leaders from the party has created a stir in political circles, with many considering it a major blow to the BJD in the Bhadrak Lok Sabha constituency.
However, former minister and BJD vice president Prafulla Samal downplayed the impact, saying that leaders who leave the party do not necessarily take public support with them.
He further said that people do not stand with those who frequently change parties and added that any misunderstandings can be reconsidered and resolved.
