Social Activist Linkan Subudhi Quits BJD

Bhubaneswar, Apr 1: Renowned social activist and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Linkan Subudhi quit the party ahead of the upcoming general elections.

Subudhi, State General Secretary of Biju Mahila Janata Dal, sent his resignation letter to BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, citing negligence and disrespect to women in the party.

“Can’t continue in a party where women empowerment is just a slogan. Women are just the use and throw object and women get less respect and dignity in the party nowadays,” Subudhi mentioned in her resignation letter.

Subudhi, a Biju Patnaik State Bravery awardee, had fought the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls from Ward No. 8 on BJD ticket in 2014, but lost.

She had received plaudits in September 2013 when she was attacked by goons in Noida, Uttar Pradesh while trying to stop a child marriage. She was working with an IT company in Noida then.

Recently, several BJD leaders including sitting MPs and MLAs quit the BJD and joined the saffron party.

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.