Mass Resignations Deal Blow To BJD In Odisha

Bhubaneswar : In a major political development, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) faced a major organizational setback in Bhadrak district with former MP Manjulata Mandal and former MLA Muktikanta Mandal along with over 500 leaders and workers resigning from the party on Sunday.

The resignations include several prominent figures like former district president Jagannath Sahu, BJD’s Simulia MLA candidate Subasini Sahoo, party leader Shashi Kumar Sahoo and a number of sarpanchs and samiti members, a sign of a deep rift in the party’s district unit.

The development comes a few days after BJD chief Naveen Patnaik suspended Manjulata Mandal and Muktikanta Mandal on April 6 over allegations of anti-party activities.

Party sources said the mass exodus has significantly weakened the BJD’s organizational base in Bhadrak. Meanwhile, speculations are rife that opposition leaders may soon join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with reports suggesting a possible induction at the party’s state office in the coming days. However, no official statement has been made so far.

Speaking on the issue, Muktikanta Mandal expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s treatment of workers. “From sarpanchs to MLAs, we sacrificed our blood, sweat and tears for the party. But instead of being rewarded, we were punished due to someone’s conspiracies. We have not taken a decision yet, we will decide our next move soon,” he said.

Manjulata Mandal confirmed that several leaders, including Subasini Sahoo and Shashi Sahoo, resigned that day and said future decisions would be taken collectively. “Our people will decide our next course of action,” he added.

Echoing similar sentiments, Shashi Kumar Sahoo claimed that the party’s base in North Odisha has been significantly eroded. “We have resigned today. Many leaders have already quit and more are likely to come. A few sarpanchs will also resign soon. BJD has been wiped out from North Odisha,” he alleged.

According to political analysts, large-scale resignations are expected to have political consequences in the region ahead of the upcoming local elections.