Bhubaneswar: In a significant development concerning Odisha politics, Sasmit Patra on Wednesday stepped down as the parliamentary party leader of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Rajya Sabha.
According to sources, Patra submitted his resignation to BJD president Naveen Patnaik, who is also the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Odisha Assembly.
Patra’s resignation comes amid reports that some BJD MPs had expressed their desire for a change in leadership in the Upper House in a communication to the party chief.
This move coincides with the oath-taking ceremony of new BJD Rajya Sabha member Santrupt Misra.
The resignation follows Patra’s earlier protest action last month when he stepped down from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT. He took the step after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, the committee chairperson, made controversial remarks about legendary Biju Patnaik. Patra had strongly objected to the statements, describing them as disrespectful to a national icon, and even led a BJD walkout in the Rajya Sabha.
There has been no official statement from BJD on the development.
BJD has six members in Rajya Sabha. Sasmit Patra had been serving as the parliamentary party leader since 2022, playing a key role in coordinating the party’s stance in the Upper House. With his resignation, the focus has now shifted to who will take over the crucial leadership role. Political circles are abuzz with speculation.
