Bhubaneswar: In a fresh setback for Biju Janata Dal (BJD) ahead of the twin elections in Odisha, former MLA from Karanjia Bijay Kumar Naik resigned from the ruling party saying he was neglected for a long time.
Sources said that the two-time legislator has sent his resignation to BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. He has resigned from the primary membership of the regional party.
Naik, who was elected from Karanjia in Mayurbhanj district in 2009 and 2014, alleged that he was neglected in the ruling BJD though he worked hard to strengthen the party organisation in Mayurbhanj district during 2019 general elections.
The ex-legislator, who belongs to Thudi tribal community, said he also played a significant role for the impressive performance of BJD in the last panchayat elections.
Expressing unhappiness over denial of BJD ticket for the upcoming elections despite his contribution towards strengthening the party, the former MLA said he would contest the polls as an independent candidate from his home turf this time.
It may be noted that several senior leaders including two sitting MPs and at least five sitting MLAs have so far resigned from the ruling BJD after being denied party tickets for the upcoming elections.
