Former Karanjia MLA Bijay Kumar Naik Quits BJD

Bhubaneswar: In another blow to the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) ahead of the twin elections in Odisha, former Karanjia MLA Bijay Kumar Naik on Tuesday resigned from the party, citing long-standing neglect within the ruling party.

Naik, a two-time legislator from Karanjia in Mayurbhanj district, sent his resignation to BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

A member of the Thudi tribal community, Naik alleged being overlooked within the BJD despite his dedicated efforts to bolster the party’s presence in Mayurbhanj district during the 2019 twin elections. He emphasized his significant role in the BJD’s commendable performance in the recent panchayat elections.

Expressing dissatisfaction over not receiving a BJD ticket for the upcoming elections, despite his contributions to the party’s growth, Naik declared his intention to contest independently from his constituency.

This resignation follows a series of similar moves by several senior BJD leaders, including two sitting MPs and approximately five sitting MLAs, who have resigned after being denied party tickets for the forthcoming elections.