DEBASISH SAMANTARAY JOINED BJP

Debasish Samantaray, a Rajya Sabha MP belonging to the Biju Janata Dal, on Monday resigned from the regional party and also stepped down from the Upper House of Parliament, alleging that he was “systematically belittled” within the party. In a letter addressed to BJD supremo and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Mr. Samantaray said, “I have always dedicated myself to the interest of the party and have, over the years, worked for the party with utmost conviction and commitment. However, I feel that, of late, I have been systematically belittled in the party and that the party does not require my services. Therefore, I have taken this hard decision in public interest.”Resigning from the primary membership of BJD, he said, “I shall always be indebted to you for nominating me to the Rajya Sabha. I take this opportunity to express my sincere and deepest gratitude to you for giving me an opportunity to serve the people of undivided Cuttack district and to raise issues of Odisha at large at the national level.” The senior leader also handed over his resignation to C. P. Radhakrishnan, Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairperson.Mr. Samantaray appeared to have followed in the footsteps of current Bharatiya Janata Party MP Sujeet Kumar and former Rajya Sabha MP Mamata Mohanta, who had first resigned from Rajya Sabha and subsequently joined BJP. The saffron party immediately sent the two MPs to Rajya Sabha again.