Odisha: Khariar MLA Adhiraj Panigrahi Resigns From Cong, Likely To Join BJD

Bhubaneswar: Adhiraj Mohan Panigrahi, the Congress MLA from Khariar in Odisha’s Nuapada district, resigned from the party on Tuesday.

In a letter to Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Sarat Patnaik, the MLA said, “I am hereby tendering my resignation from all positions including the primary membership of the Indian National Congress with immediate effect.”

Speaking to the media after tendering his resignation, Panigrahi said he took the decision after consulting the people of Khariar. “The Congress’ position in the state has weakened. But I have no differences with the Congress,” he said.

Stating that he would definitely contest from Khariar in this election, he said he would take a decision on joining any party in consultation with voters of his constituency.

However, sources said Panigrahi is likely to join BJD on Wednesday.

He had lost in 2014 elections from Khariar. But he was elected from the constituency by defeating BJD’s Lambodar Nial in 2019 Assembly polls.