Bhubaneswar: BJD Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Sasmit Patra has resigned from his post as the party’s Parliamentary Leader in the Upper House. He formally sent his resignation letter to BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday.
The development comes at a time when the regional party is already navigating challenges following its loss of power in Odisha. Patra’s exit from the leadership role in the Rajya Sabha adds to questions about unity within the BJD ranks.
This move coincides with the recent oath-taking ceremony of new BJD Rajya Sabha member Dr Santrupt Misra, who assumed office just days ago, along with other newly elected members.
The resignation follows Patra’s earlier protest action in late March 2026, when he stepped down from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT. He took the step after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, the committee chairperson, made controversial remarks linking BJD founder Biju Patnaik to the CIA and alleging he acted as a conduit between the U.S. intelligence agency and former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Patra had strongly objected to the statements, describing them as disrespectful to a national icon, and even led a BJD walkout in the Rajya Sabha.
In his resignation letter from the committee, Patra stated he could not, “in good conscience,” continue serving under a chairperson who made such remarks. The incident had triggered widespread outrage in Odisha, with BJD leaders, including Naveen Patnaik, demanding an apology from Dubey.
As of now, there has been no official reaction from the BJD high command on the development.