Bhubaneswar: In what could be seen as a jolt to Biju Janata Dal (BJD), veteran leader and former Odisha Minister Amar Satpathy on Monday said that he is no more associated with the Naveen Patnaik-led regional party.
Days after training guns at party supremo Naveen Patnaik over the debacle in the last elections, Satpathy told the media that he is no more in BJD as he did not take the party’s membership during the recent drive launched by the regional outfit.
The former legislator’s statement came a few days after he asked Naveen Patnaik to take the responsibility for the party’s poor performance in the 2024 polls.
“I am no longer associated with BJD. I have not taken the membership of party during the drive undertaken by it recently. I felt suffocated in the organisation because of the prevailing atmosphere,” said Satpathy.
Stating that he is not associated with any political activities for the time being, the senior leader said many political parties including BJP are in contact with him.
“I am keeping myself away from political activities at the moment,” he said, adding that he is yet to decide his future course of action.
Reacting sharply to Satpathy’s remark, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said it would be better if the former MLA leaves the party. “If he does not want to remain in BJD, it will be better to leave the party,” Mohanty said.
Claiming that Satpathy could become MLA for six times as he was given a lot or opportunities by BJD, he said the party will not be affected if any leader quits and joins another political outfit.
