Odisha MP Anubhav Mohanty resigns from BJD

Bhubaneswar: Heavyweight leaders continue to quit the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha ahead of the elections 2024. After Cuttack MP Bhatruhari Mahtab, Kendrapara Lok Sabha member Anubhav Mohanty resigned from the regional party.

The parliamentarian tendered his resignation letter to BJD president Naveen Patnaik today.

He quit the party citing a ‘personal’ reason for ‘Dearest Motherland’. However, he made it clear that he would contest the elections.

“With sincere introspection and after careful consideration, I have concluded that I would never quit politics or from serving my Motherland, I will certainly represent my people of Odisha in every possible available, but resigning from the Biju Janata Dal is a necessary step not only personally for me but more because of my dearest Motherland.

Terming the BJD Supremo as his father figure, he alleged that the party did not stand by his side at the time of personal losses despite his unwavering loyalty and deep admiration for the party and Naveen Patnaik as well.

“I have been grappling with undisclosed concerns that have made me feel suffocated over the past four years. The recent personal losses I have endured, including the passing of my dearest Bapa and my Bada Bapa, have prompted me to reflect deeply on principles, values, and aspirations,” he mentioned in the resignation letter.

Since morning today, three BJD leaders deserted the conch party. Earlier in the day, former Bhubaneswar North MLA Priyadarshi Mishra and former Korei MLA and Rajya Sabha member Akash Dasnayak resigned from the party.

Anubhav Mohanty, the Ollywood actor-turned-politician, had been the star campaigner of the BJD. Prior to getting the BJD ticket for the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in the Parliament. He had been in the news headlines for marital discord with his estranged wife and actress Varsha Priyadarshini in recent years.