Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls Odisha Congress MLA Adhiraj Mohan Quits Party

Odisha Congress MLA Adhiraj Mohan Panigrahi resigned from all positions, including the primary membership of the party on Wednesday.

Odisha Congress MLA Adhiraj Mohan ( Image Source :X/@AdhirajMohan )

Adhiraj Mohan Panigrahi, a Khariar MLA, resigned from the Congress on Tuesday, dealing the party a blow ahead of the election. In his resignation letter to Congress state president Sarat Pattanayak, Panigrahi, a first-time MLA, gave no reason for leaving the party.

Odisha Congress MLA Adhiraj Mohan Panigrahi resigns from all positions, including the primary membership of the party. pic.twitter.com/hRJLEvZQYB

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2024

According to reports, Panigrahi may join the ruling BJD after resigning from Congress. Denies having a problem with Congress and won the 2019 election over the BJD. His departure has prompted speculation. The party is unconcerned and believes it will find a substitute.

According to the Times of India, Panigrahi denied having any issues with the Congress leadership. "I had no issues with anyone in Congress. I received respect from all leaders and did my best for the party. I have fulfilled my duties as a disciplined Congress leader for the past 25 years," said Panigrahi, who defeated BJD's Lambodar Nial by 2,858 votes in 2019.

Panigrahi won 59,308 votes, while Nial received 56,451.

The BJD is likely to support Panigrahi to counter the BJP, which is said to have a strong base in Khariar, a constituency in western Odisha, TOI reported citing sources. 

"I chose to leave Congress by respecting the opinions of my constituents and supporters. They wanted me to leave Congress because they believed I couldn't bring about development in Khariar by remaining in Congress. I will join another party only after consulting with my constituents," Panigrahi said, adding that the Congress has become weak in Odisha and is unlikely to perform well in the elections, according to TOI report. 

Reacting to the development, the Congress state president Pattanayak said Panigrahi's move will not affect the party's prospects in Khariar."We aren't concerned about Panigrahi's departure from Congress. Leaders resign and join new parties during elections. "We'll get his replacement," Pattanayak said, TOI reported.