Jharsuguda MLA Naba Kishore Das on Wednesday resigned from the primary membership of the Congress and announced that he would join the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
In his resignation letter addressed to All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Rahul Gandhi, Das mentioned that “people and voters” of his area want him to contest the upcoming elections from the BJD as they want development of the area.
“On public and voters’ pressurised request, I have decided to resign from the Indian National Congress’ primary membership and
from the post of working president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee,”
Das wrote.“I apologise for this resignation and has done so for my motto, i.e., development first. So, I should join the BJD with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik,” he added in the letter.
The MLA also clarified that he doesn’t have any complain against Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik and has a very cordial relation with the latter.
Speculations are rife about Das joining the BJD on January 24 when Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to visit Jharsuguda.
Das’ resignation came as major jolt for the State Congress when the party is gearing up for general elections and Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit the State on January 25.
Moreover, Sundargarh MLA Jogesh Singh is also likely to quit the Congress much ahead of the elections.
The indication came after Singh has stated that he would skip Rahul Gandhi’s Odisha visit on January 25.
Speaking to media Singh said, “Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled programme in Odisha was finalised a few days ago. But I had already scheduled my programmes at village levels much before it.”
“First of all, people who have elected me as their leader are my high command,” he remarked.
Singh praised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and said, “As a person, he is a very good human being. The BJD has been able to be in power for as long as 19 years because of its supremo’s excellent political capabilities.”