Bhubaneswar: Khariar Congress MLA Adhiraj Mohan Panigrahi resigned from the party today, ahead of the General Elections 2024. He is likely to join BJD soon.

Panigrahi tendered his resignation from all positions including the party’s primary membership and sent his resignation letter to the PCC president Sarat Pattanayak.

“I thank you for giving me an opportunity to serve the nation and my State for 25 years with passion and dedication,” Panigrahi wrote to the PCC chief.

The sitting MLA had contested the Assembly election from Khariar constituency on a Congress ticket in 2019. He won the seat by defeating his close contender and BJD candidate Lambodar Nial.

When contacted, PCC president said that Panigrahi quitting Congress would not affect the party.

“Congress had earlier received more than 3,000 applications for 147 Assembly constituency segments in Odisha. We have several strong and befitting candidates to field and we are least bothered for Panigrahi leaving the party. These are nothing unusual during elections,” Pattanayak expressed.