KalignaTV News Network
Bhubaneswar: Suspended BJD leader and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda quitted the state ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday.
According to reports, Panda submitted his resignation letter to BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
“It is with deep anguish, hurt and sorrow that I have decided to quit the kind of party politics into which our BJD has descended,” said Panda, a founding member of Biju Janata Dal, in the letter.
Baijayant also expressed his deep pain over the way Chief Minister and BJD leaders treated his father Dr. Bansidhar Panda after his demise.
“Although things have been going from bad to worse for the past four years, it has plumbed the absolute depths of inhumanity when neither you nor anyone from the BJD turned up to pay their last respects to my father Dr Banshidhar Panda, who as everyone knows was very close friend, supporter, and associate of Biju uncle for many decades. In stark contrast, thousands of well-wishers came to pay last respects, including senior leaders of all political parties,” he noted. His father passed away on May 22.
“I’ve been viciously targeted, including being physically assaulted with stones, bricks & eggs last May in Mahanga. I was extremely saddened that even then you (CM Naveen Patnaik) did not bother to call to inquire about my health and safety.” Baijayant mentioned.
The Kendrapara Parliamentarian also informed that he will convey his decision to Lok Sabha Speaker to accept his resignation upon completion of his religious obligations of bereavement.
Patnaik had suspended Panda from the party for his anti-party activities on January 24.
He was elected to Lok Sabha in 2009 and 2014 from Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency. Earlier, he was elected to Rajya Sabha twice from BJD.
Ms Kalinga