Premananda Nayak, a sitting MLA from Telkoi constituency and a former minister, resigned from the party’s primary membership on Friday, marking a significant setback for the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
Nayak claimed the party was ignoring him. In October of last year, he had emailed his letter of resignation to the organisational secretary and chief minister Naveen Patnaik.
“I am leaving the Biju Janata Dal primary membership.” Nayak wrote, “It was a valuable time spent with you, and it will inspire me to serve my Constituency better going forward.
Nayak was reportedly displeased that CM Naveen Patnaik would not meet with him to discuss a number of issues pertaining to his constituency. Moreover, Nayak’s chief rival, former Champua MLA Dhanurjay Sidu, was permitted to join BJD. However, even after he sent in his resignation, no one attempted to contact him or listen to his pleadings. It was then discovered that he had made the decision to leave the party’s primary membership.
On a BJD ticket, Nayak won the assembly elections in both 2009 and 2019. Naveen Patnaik was appointed Minister of Skill Development and Technical Education during his fifth term in office.
“I was a minister, but still couldn’t get access to meet the CM and bring to his notice all the problems prevailing in my constituency,” Nayak said in an interview with OTV. They later introduced the candidate I had run against to the party.
“Since its founding, the BJD has consistently prevailed in Telkoi elections. Therefore, I fail to see why they felt the need to include Dhanurjay Sidu, a candidate who had twice lost elections. This gradually started to cause division within the party. I attempted to discuss him with higher-ranking party officials, but I was met with silence. The party no longer shares the unity that once existed. Thus, I decided to submit my resignation,” Nayak stated in an interview with OTV.
“BJD party was like my family,” he continued. There are misunderstandings among family members. Nevertheless, issues are resolved in the end. Though I was supportive of the party, I was never given the opportunity to speak.
