Odisha BJP vice-president Bhrugu Baxipatra quits party, likely to join BJD

Baxipatra's resignation came as a surprise with sources citing his dissatisfaction over the BJP's decision to field former BJD Minister and three-time MLA Pradeep Panigrahi for the Berhampur Lok Sabha seat.

Panigrahi, who was expelled from the BJD and recently joined the BJP, was nominated by the party to contest the Berhampur Lok Sabha seat.

In his resignation letter addressed to party President Manmohan Samal, Baxipatra expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the party for 23 years, stating that he had worked with dedication and sincerity for its growth in the state.

However, he expressed a sense of being unneeded, prompting his decision to resign.

Sources within the party suggest that Baxipatra, who unsuccessfully contested the Berhampur Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 election, was eager to run again but was overlooked in favour of Panigrahi.

It is anticipated that Baxipatra will join the BJD with the possibility of the ruling party fielding him for the Berhampur Lok Sabha seat.

Following Baxipatra's resignation, BJD leader Naveen Patnaik appointed the party's sitting MP from Berhampur, Chandra Sekhar Sahu, as Vice President and chairman of the BJD manifesto Committee.

This decision has sparked speculation regarding Sahu's re-nomination for the Berhampur Lok Sabha seat.

The BJD has already announced candidates for 15 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha, with the remaining six, including Berhampur, yet to be declared.