Senior Odisha Leader Switches Sides Amid Internal BJD Rift
In a significant political development in Odisha, former Biju Janata Dal Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday, just hours after resigning from both the BJD and Parliament.
Samantaray joined the BJP in the presence of senior party leaders, marking yet another high-profile defection from the regional outfit led by former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik.
The former MP had resigned from the BJD on Monday, alleging that he was being “systematically belittled” within the party despite his long political association with Patnaik.
‘No Point Remaining’: Samantaray Targets Party Functioning
After resigning, Samantaray publicly expressed frustration over his inability to directly meet the BJD chief, suggesting that internal party dynamics had changed significantly in recent years.
“There is no point in remaining in BJD when I am unable to meet my party president,” he told reporters.
In his resignation letter addressed to Naveen Patnaik, Samantaray wrote, “I do hereby resign from the primary membership of BJD. Of late, I felt I have been systematically belittled in the party and that it does not require my services.”
He also thanked Patnaik for giving him opportunities to serve Odisha and represent the state in Parliament.
VK Pandian Again at Centre of BJD Controversy
Samantaray additionally blamed former bureaucrat-turned-politician VK Pandian for the BJD’s defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly elections.
A long-time critic of Pandian, Samantaray had repeatedly alleged that the former aide continued influencing party affairs even after stepping back from active politics following the election setback.
Political observers believe the latest exit reflects continuing tensions within the BJD over leadership style, organisational control and the party’s future direction after its electoral losses.
BJP Gains Another Former BJD Face
Samantaray’s switch to the BJP follows earlier exits by former BJD Rajya Sabha MPs Sujeet Kumar and Mamata Mahanta, both of whom later entered Parliament again with BJP backing.
The development has fuelled speculation about further churn within Odisha politics as the BJP continues to expand its influence in the state after the BJD’s recent decline.
BJD Hits Back at Former MP
Rejecting claims that Samantaray’s resignation had weakened the party, BJD leaders accused him of pursuing personal and business interests.
Pramila Mallik said the former MP’s exit would instead strengthen the organisation in Cuttack.
“He left the party to protect his business interests. He was in politics to do business and not to serve the people,” Mallik said while responding to the controversy.
