Odisha Assembly Elections: Himanshu Mohanty To Quit BJD Following Denial Of Ticket

Cuttack: With infighting coming to the fore in Biju Janata Dal (BJD) ahead of the twin elections in Odisha, prominent leader in Salipur Assembly constituency Himanshu Mohanty on Monday announced his plan to quit the ruling party soon.

Considered an influential leader in Salipur, Mohanty’s decision apparently came after denial of BJD ticket as the regional party has fielded sitting MLA Prashant Behera from the Assembly constituency.

Stating that he has been working for strengthening the party organisation for the last several years, Mohanty said he will soon tender his resignation from the ruling BJD.

“Though I am not worried over denial of ticket to contest elections, I have decided to quit the party as my supporters are highly upset. They want me to contest the polls,” he said, adding that he would put in his papers in a day or two.

It may be noted here that infighting in BJD had come to the fore a few months ago after a tussle ensued between two groups during the party’s ‘Jan Sampark Padyatra’ at Salipur.

Mohanty and his supporters had taken out a procession in the area, but they were confronted by some supporters of MLA Prashant Behera.

The situation turned ugly as the two sides engaged in a scuffle and police had to intervene to bring it under control.