Senior leader Debashish Samantaray resigned from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday and stepped down from Rajya Sabha membership, triggering fresh political debate in Odisha.

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Soon after quitting the party, Debashish openly criticised the BJD leadership and stated that the growing influence of BJD’s VK Pandian was the main reason behind his decision to leave the regional party.

Debashish said he had already informed BJD president Naveen Patnaik about the reasons for his resignation. He also expressed his disappointment over not being able to personally meet the BJD supremo before leaving the party.

According to the former Rajya Sabha MP, he had been trying to communicate his concerns, but circumstances did not allow a direct meeting with Naveen.

Debashish further stated that he has now joined a national political platform, the Bharatiya Janata Dal (BJP), and believed there was still much work left to do in public life. The senior leader confidently said that he would return to the Rajya Sabha once again in the future.

Earlier in the day, Debashish first resigned from the BJD and later submitted his resignation from the Rajya Sabha as well. He sent his resignation letter to Naveen Patnaik, mentioning that he had dedicated himself to the interests of the party (BJD) for several years with full commitment and loyalty.

However, in the letter, the former MP has claimed that he was increasingly being sidelined within the BJD and felt that his services were no longer required. He said this realisation compelled him to take the difficult decision in the larger interest of the people.

After resigning from the party, he also met the Rajya Sabha Chairman and formally stepped down from his position as Member of Parliament.

The resignation has intensified political discussions in Odisha, especially at a time when the internal dynamics within the BJD continue to remain under public scrutiny. Political observers believe the development could have an impact on future political alignments in the State.

“For a long time, I have been saying a lot against VK Pandian. He is the reason for (BJD’s) defeat (in the 2024 General Elections). VK Pandian is the person who stopped Naveen Babu’s government, the (BJD-led) government that was coming to power, right then. Naveen Babu had earlier said one thing during the Assembly election campaign that he (Pandian) was not Naveen’s successor,” Debashish said while speaking to mediapersons.

“But the recent decision Naveen made, the Biju-Naveen Inspirational Foundation (a trust) he formed, he gave the Aurangzeb Road house to that trust, which was Biju Babu’s sentiment, on which the Biju Janata Dal was formed. That is his father’s house. He gave it to the trust, and VK Pandian is the owner of the trust,” the senior leader further said.

“Another unfamiliar person from Odisha, Santrupt Mishra, and a senior advocate are in the trust. Will these people carry forward the legacy of the BJD? A kind of insult was done to Odia Asmita (Odia Pride), and the insult was done to the people of Lord Jagannath’s land. Handing over Biju Babu’s property to a Tamil person who has ruined Odisha is a sad thing. So, I cannot remain in that party anymore,” Debashish expressed.

“I was in the Rajya Sabha, but I regret to say that I haven’t been able to meet Naveen Babu for a year now, whom I was so close to. Everyone in Odisha knows what the relationship between Debasish and Naveen was. Despite that relationship, my leader didn’t meet me or listen to my sorrow. Why did I say these things? I said it through my mouth, but I had conveyed the words of crores of BJD workers,” the former MP added.