Bhadrak, Nov 29: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) suffered a significant jolt Saturday as three block Presidents from Bhadrak district resigned from the party in a single day, citing personal reasons.

Among those who stepped down were Sumati Sethi (Bhandaripokhari), and Urmila Nayak (Bhadrak block). Both submitted their resignation letters to the district president, relinquishing their primary membership in the party. Similarly, Manoranjan Ghadai (Bonth block), also resigned. Ghadai had earlier won the post during the last panchayat elections as a BJD candidate from Gopinathpur panchayat.

Speculation is rife that the three leaders may soon join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Reports suggest they had recently met at the residence of former Bhadrak municipality chairman Prayas Kanti Samal (Lulu), fuelling talk of their imminent switch.

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Meanwhile, in Talcher, the BJD faced another blow as the municipal chairperson, Pabitra Bhutia, along with 13 councillors, resigned from the party and formally joined the BJP. The mass defection has intensified political tremors in the region.

The developments have put Talcher MLA and district BJD president Braja Pradhan under pressure, with councillors accusing him of ignoring party workers and local leaders. The dissent has now translated into a major organizational crisis for the ruling party.

Following their induction into the BJP, Bhutia and the councillors met Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Bhubaneswar, underscoring the growing influence of the saffron party in the region.

With simultaneous resignations in Bhadrak and Talcher, the BJD is facing one of its toughest challenges in recent times. The exodus of grassroots leaders signals a possible shift in political equations.