Former Sambalpur MLA Raseswari Panigrahi Quits BJD

Bhubaneswar, Apr 23: In yet another jolt to Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) ahead of the Lok Sabha and State Assembly polls, its senior leader and former MLA Raseswari Panigrahi quit the regional party on Tuesday.

According to sources, Panigrahi sent her resignation letter to BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Panaik.

The MLA expressed her disappointment over not getting a ticket.

Yesterday, the BJD announced its seventh list of 7 candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections, in which the party has dropped Panigrahi and nominated former MP Prasanna Acharya and later swapped the MLA candidates, bringing Rohit Pujari to Sambalpur from Rairakhol.

Odisha will vote in the Lok Sabha elections and Assembly polls, which are being held simultaneously, in four phases. The polling will be held on May 13, 20, 25 and June 1.