Bhubaneswar: In a significant political development in Odisha, former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Rajya Sabha member Debashish Samantaray on Tuesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a day after resigning from the regional party and relinquishing his parliamentary seat.
Samantaray formally joined the BJP at the party headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of senior BJP leaders. His induction marks yet another setback for the BJD, which has been witnessing internal unrest and a series of defections following its defeat in the 2024 Odisha Assembly elections.
Speaking after joining the BJP, Samantaray said he was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party’s vision for “Vikshit Bharat.” He expressed confidence that he would contribute to Odisha’s development through the BJP platform.
“Impressed with Prime Minister Modi’s dedication and leadership, I joined the BJP today. I will work for developmental activities in Odisha,” Samantaray said. He also thanked the BJP leadership for welcoming him into the party.
The veteran politician from coastal Odisha had resigned from the BJD on Monday, alleging that he had been systematically sidelined within the organisation. In his resignation letter addressed to former Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik, Samantaray claimed that internal democracy in the party had weakened and leaders were no longer allowed to function according to their “calibre and capability.”
He had also criticised the growing influence of former IAS officer V. K. Pandian within the BJD, alleging that the party’s electoral defeat and Naveen Patnaik’s political decline were linked to Pandian’s increasing control over organisational affairs.
Samantaray further claimed he had been unable to meet Naveen Patnaik for more than a year despite their long political association. He also expressed concern over the Biju Naveen Inspirational Trust being headed by Pandian, saying it had created an impression that Pandian was being projected as Naveen Patnaik’s political successor.
With Samantaray’s exit, three former BJD Rajya Sabha MPs have now quit the party and later aligned with the BJP, highlighting continuing turbulence within Odisha’s opposition politics.
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