Bhadrak (Odisha): In a major political setback for the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), former Bhadrak MP Manjulata Mandal and former Dhamnagar MLA Muktikanta Mandal, along with more than 500 party leaders and workers, have resigned from the party.

The mass resignation comes in the wake of the recent suspension of the Mandal couple from the party, triggering widespread discontent among grassroots workers across Bhadrak district.

Large-scale resignations across constituencies

The resignations reportedly include workers and leaders from all seven Assembly segments under the Bhadrak Lok Sabha constituency. Several prominent local leaders, including Jagannath Swain, Shashikant Sahu, Subasini Sahu, Pranaya Das, Shyam Sundar Nayak, and Ashish Nayak, have also quit the party.

The development follows a meeting organised under the coordination of Pranaya Das, where a large number of party workers from different blocks announced their decision to leave the BJD.

Leaders allege internal discord

Reacting to the developments, Manjulata Mandal alleged that certain leaders within the party were working to weaken the organisation in Bhadrak district.

Muktikanta Mandal also accused internal leadership of conspiring against them, claiming that factionalism has severely damaged the party’s structure at the district level.

He alleged Chandbali MLA Byomakesh Ray of making conspiracies to destroy the regional party in the district. 

Mandal couple as well as their supporters are likely to join the BJP on April 30. 

Political landscape shifting

Bhadrak, once considered a stronghold of the BJD, has witnessed significant political shifts in recent years. After the change in power in Odisha, several leaders have already switched allegiance, adding to the party’s challenges in the district.

A year ago, senior BJD leader Prafulla Samal's son Lulu Samal had resigned from the party and joined the BJP along with panchayat samiti chairpersons of four blocks in the district. Since then, Mandal couple were expected to quit the BJD. 

Political observers say the latest exodus could further impact the party’s organisational strength in the region ahead of future elections.