Sasmit Patra offers to quit as BJD Parliamentary Party leader in Rajya Sabha

Expressing his desire to step down from the post of Parliamentary Party leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the Rajya Sabha, Sasmit Patra has submitted his resignation to party chief and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Sources within the BJD said on Wednesday that the resignation of the two-time Rajya Sabha member would pave the way for the election of another party MP to lead the regional outfit in the Upper House of Parliament.

While the immediate reason for Mr. Patra’s decision remains unclear, several Rajya Sabha MPs of the party are learnt to have favoured his removal from the leadership role. The BJD currently has six members in the Rajya Sabha.