Bhubaneswar: Former BJD leader Anubhav Patnaik today filed nomination papers as independent candidate to contest assembly elections from Khandapada constituency in Odisha's Nayagarh district.

He submitted the nomination papers before the Nayagarh Sub-Collector.

In 2014, Patnaik had successfully contested the assembly polls from Khandapada on BJD ticket.

Denied ticket this time, Patnaik resigned from the regional party on Thursday.

He resigned from the primary membership of the BJD hours after the party announced Sabitri Pradhan as its candidate for Khandapada seat.

Patnaik said his fight will be for the development of Khandapada instead of a party. He also alleged that husband of the BJD candidate was engaged in ganja trade and is a murder case accused.