Nabarangpur MP Majhi quits BJD

Bhubaneswar: In a setback to the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) ahead of the elections, sitting Nabarangpur MP, Balabhadra Majhi resigned Thursday from the party alleging that he felt ‘ignored and cheated’.
“I have tendered my resignation from the primary membership of the BJD as I felt ignored, neglected and cheated. I presumed the party no more requires me,” Majhi told reporters here.
Majhi said since he was unable to meet Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik, he submitted his resignation to political secretary of the party supremo.
“Somewhere, a gap has developed between me and you…may be designed by some persons envious of my achievements. I was kept out of discussions and deliberations in the organisation. I am sure some people have misled you and now I feel cheated,” Majhi wrote in his resignation letter.
To a query, Majhi said the BJD is ‘no longer functioning in a democratic manner’ as party positions are being filled through selection and not election.
The sudden move by the lawmaker comes after indications that he may be denied a ticket to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, sources said.
Commenting on Majhi’s resignation, BJD leader Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik said, “If the party denies tickets, leaders should not resign. We are like family. Everyone should work together for the party.”