Debashish Samantaray Resigns from BJD, Writes Letter to Naveen Patnaik Senior leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Rajya Sabha member Debashish Samantaray has resigned from the party, citing systematic disrespect and a lack of recognition for his contributions. The decision, announced on May 25, 2026, has sent shockwaves through Odisha’s political landscape, particularly given Samantaray’s close ties to BJD president Naveen Patnaik. In a social media post, Samantaray detailed his reasons for leaving, emphasizing his long-standing dedication to the party and its cause. Samantaray, who has been a key figure in the BJD’s political machinery, stated in his post that he has always prioritized the party’s interests and served with integrity. However, he claimed that recent months have seen deliberate efforts to undermine his contributions, leaving him feeling disrespected and unappreciated. “The party no longer needs my services,” he wrote, adding that his resignation was a difficult but necessary step to protect the public interest. In a separate letter to Patnaik, Samantaray expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided to serve Odisha’s people. He highlighted his commitment to the state’s development, particularly in his constituency of Unakoti district, and pledged to continue advocating for Odisha’s issues at the national level. “I will remain a voice for the people of Odisha,” he wrote, closing with a traditional salutation to Lord Jagannath. The resignation comes amid growing tensions within the BJD, which has faced internal strife over leadership and policy decisions in recent years. Patnaik, who has been the party’s leader since 2015, has yet to respond publicly to Samantaray’s departure.#odisha #naveen_patnaik #bjd #debashish_samantaray #unakoti_district
Odisha MLAs arrive in Bhubaneswar for crucial biennial Rajya Sabha elections Legislators from various political parties have gathered in Bhubaneswar ahead of the biennial Rajya Sabha elections, set to take place on March 16, 2026. The contest for four vacant seats has intensified amid widespread allegations of MLA poaching through horse-trading, with multiple parties accusing rivals of attempting to sway votes. The Congress party alleged that four individuals were detained in Bengaluru on charges of offering blank cheques to its MLAs to secure support for BJP-backed candidates. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is also the leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), condemned the alleged activities, calling them evidence of BJP efforts to lure MLAs from other parties. Patnaik claimed that the arrests in Bengaluru validate his previous claims about BJP engaging in "horse-trading-like" tactics to recruit MLAs. He emphasized that the people of Odisha are closely monitoring the developments. Meanwhile, Ashok Kumar Das, deputy leader of the Odisha Congress Legislature Party, reported that unidentified individuals approached MLAs with offers, prompting a formal complaint. The BJP has taken measures to ensure its MLAs’ votes are not invalidated, including mock-polling training sessions. BJP MLAs, who were accommodated in a hotel in Paradip, traveled to Bhubaneswar by bus. The BJD, meanwhile, secured its MLAs’ safety by hosting them at Naveen Niwas, the residence of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The regional party issued show cause notices to two MLAs, Baliguda MLA Chakramani Kanhar and Jayadev MLA Naba Kishor Mallick, for their absence from party meetings for the past three days.#odisha #bjp #rajya_sabha #bjd #naveen_patnaik
