Three sitting MPs and as many sitting MLAs from ruling BJD have so far resigned from the party after being denied party ticket to contest the elections.
After Nabarangour sitting MP Balabhadra Majhi and Kalahandi sitting MP Arka Keshari Deo, Kandhamal Lok Sabha member Pratyusha Rajeswari Singh resigned from the party on Wednesday.
Two sitting BJD MLAs Sukant Nayak form Nilagiri assembly seat and Trinath Gamango from Gunupur assembly seat had earlier resigned from the party and on Wednesday another sitting MLA from Daspalla, Purna Chandra Nayak, resigned from the party.
Pratyusha was lobbying for Nayagarha assembly seat after she was denied party ticket to contest the Kandhamal Lok Sabha seat.
In her resignation letter to party president Naveen Patnaik, she said utter injustice was done to her in spite of her loyalty and dedication to the people and the party, and she was denied to contest the election.
She accused rural development and parliamentary affairs minister Bikram Arukh of playing a major role in denying party ticket to her.
The Kandhmal MP also alleged that she was harassed by Nayagarh BJD MLA Arun Sahu with multiple legal cases during the last four years after the demise of her husband.
She regretted that though she had brought it to the notice of the party high command, no action was taken.The BJD which is so vocal about women empowerment has failed in her case, the woman MP said.
On the other hand, BJD Daspalla MLA Purna Chandra Nayak said he was not given party ticket to contest the election due to wrong decision of some vested group the party.
He alleged that the party has nominated a candidate in his place who is corrupt and has misappropriated Rs 7.32 crore meant for the development of SC/ST people.
Nayak said he had to resign from the party as he cannot support a person involved in corruption.
Meanwhile, Parlakhemundi BJD MLA K. Narayan Rao who resigned from the party on Tuesday after being denied party ticket to contest the election also joined the BJP at the party state headquarter in Bhubaneswar in the presence of Union petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan and state party president Basant Panda.
BJD sitting MP from Nabarangpur Balabhadra Majhi had already joined the BJP.
Sources said both Arka Keshari Deo and Pratyusha rajeswari Singh who have resigned from the BJD, are likely to join the BJP. (UNI)
