Biju Janata Dal MP Sasmit Patra speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the winter session of Parliament. | Photo credit: ANI
Expressing his desire to step down as leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the Rajya Sabha, Sasmit Patra submitted his resignation to party chief and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Sources in the BJD said on Wednesday that the resignation of the two-time Rajya Sabha member will pave the way for the election of another party MP to head the regional wing in the upper house of Parliament.
While the immediate reason behind Mr Patra’s decision remains unclear, several Rajya Sabha members of the party are understood to have favored his removal from the leadership role. The BJD currently has six members in the Rajya Sabha.
Published – 9 Apr 2026 01:51 IST
