Former Dhamnagar MLA Rajendra Das expelled from BJD for anti-party activities

Bhubaneswar: Former Dhamnagar MLA and BJD leader Rajendra Kumar Das was today expelled from the party for his ‘anti-party’ activities.

He was expelled from the BJD by party supremo Naveen Patnaik.

“Sri Rajendra Kumar Das, EX-MLA of Biju Janata Dal, Dhamnagar Assembly Constituency, District- Bhadrak has been expelled from the Party for his anti-party activities by Shri Naveen Patnaik, President, Biju Janata Dal,” a party order said.

Resented over not getting BJD ticket for the upcoming Dhamnagar bypoll, Rajendra had filed nomination to contest the election as an independent candidate.

The BJD had already fielded Tihidi block chairperson Abanti Das as its nominee for the bypoll.

Resentment had brewed among the supporters of the former MLA after announcement of Abanti Das’ name as party’s candidate.

Rajendra was among the frontrunners as the potential nominee of the party for the bypoll.

Following the revolt by Rajendra, the party had engaged several senior leaders to persuade him, but in vain.

Rajendra had successfully contested the Assembly Elections from the Dhamnagar constituency as a BJD candidate in 2009 by defeating Bishnu Sethi.

However, he lost to Bishnu Sethi in the constituency in the 2019 Assembly Elections while contesting as a BJD nominee.