Debashish Samantaray resigns from BJD and Rajya Sabha, says BJP talks are finalised

“There is no point in remaining in BJD when I am unable to meet my party president,” Rajya Sabha member Debashish Samantaray said, as The Hindu reported he quit the Biju Janata Dal and resigned from the Upper House on May 25, 2026. ^[1]

In his resignation from the party’s primary membership, Samantaray alleged “systematic” belittlement within the BJD and said he felt the organisation did not require his services. ^[1] He also expressed gratitude to Naveen Patnaik, writing, “I shall always be indebted to you for nominating me to Rajya Sabha.” ^[1]

Samantaray said he would soon join the Bharatiya Janata Party, adding that talks with the BJP leadership had been finalised as of May 25, 2026. ^[1] Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and State BJP president Manmohan Samal were in New Delhi that day, possibly to witness his joining. ^[1]

The departing BJD leader also blamed former bureaucrat-turned-politician V.K. Pandian for the party’s defeat in the 2024 elections. ^[1]

Samantaray met Rajya Sabha chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan as part of the resignation process. ^[1]