Keonjhar: Keonjhargarh Municipality Vice-Chairman Barada Prasanna Das and nine BJD councillors resigned Sunday and are set to join the BJP in Bhubaneswar Monday in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The resignations mark a significant setback for the BJD in Keonjhar amid a shifting political landscape following Majhi’s elevation as Chief Minister, which has triggered defections from other parties.
Earlier, BJD MLAs from Ghasipura and Champua had backed the Chief Minister, leading to the suspension of Champua MLA Sanatan Mahakud.
Das said the BJD, originally formed as a non-Congress party, has deviated from its founding principles by aligning with Congress during the Rajya Sabha elections.
He cited dissatisfaction with party leadership as the key reason for the resignations.
Those who quit include councillors Sarat Sahu, Abhinash Mishra, Dayanidhi Patra, Padmini Patra, Bhagaban Naik, Sabita Pattnaik, Hemanta Pati and Karunakar Marandi, along with General Secretary Shubhendra Pattnaik.
Resignation letters were submitted to the state leadership, with copies sent to the district unit. BJD district president Ashish Chakraborty alleged the move was influenced by mining transporters’ money, but termed its impact temporary.
The BJD currently holds 13 of 21 wards in the municipality, while the BJP has eight.
Analysts say the shift could benefit the BJP ahead of civic polls, though voter response remains uncertain.
