Mamata Mohanta, a prominent leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has tendered her resignation from both the party and her Rajya Sabha seat. The resignation, submitted on Wednesday, has sparked speculation that Mohanta may soon join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In her resignation letter addressed to BJD President Naveen Patnaik, Mohanta expressed her belief that her services and those of her community were no longer required within the party. She thanked Patnaik for the opportunity to serve the people of Mayurbhanj and to represent Odisha on a national level. Mohanta’s departure leaves the BJD with eight seats in the Rajya Sabha.
The resignation of Mohanta was formally accepted by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, who confirmed that it was received in order and with immediate effect.
Sources within the BJP suggest that Mohanta is expected to join the party and could be re-elected to her Rajya Sabha seat with the BJP’s support, bolstering their position in the state assembly. Currently, the BJP holds 78 seats in the assembly compared to the BJD’s 51.
The resignation has stirred controversy, with opposition chief whip Pramila Mallik accusing Mohanta of betraying her community and the state. Mallik claimed that Mohanta’s resignation was part of a “conspiracy” by a national party to increase its strength in the Rajya Sabha. She also dismissed Mohanta’s claims of being sidelined within the BJD, pointing to Mohanta’s actions during the elections.
As the political landscape in Odisha continues to shift, the BJP’s state president Manmohan Saamal, along with senior leaders Dilp Ray and Samir Dash, are also being considered for the Rajya Sabha seat vacated by Mohanta.
Sources By Agencies