New Delhi: Soon after resigning from Rajya Sabha and expulsion from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Sujeet Kumar today joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Sujit Kumar joined BJP in presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP MP Bhratruhari Mahtab, the party’s National media head Anil Baluni, and General Secretary Arun Singh at party headquarters in New Delhi.
BJD President Naveen Patnaik few times ago expelled Dr.Kumar from his party for his alleged “anti-party activities”.
Shri Kumar, in his resignation letter addressed to the Rajya Sabha Chairman said that his decision to step down was a “conscious” one. Kumar submitted his resignation letter to RS Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar
“I do hereby tender my resignation from the Membership of Rajya Sabha today, i.e. 6th September 2024; having taken this decision consciously. I take this opportunity to express my profuse gratitude to you for the opportunities provided to me to raise issues of public importance, and of my state Odisha, in the House. I could not have done it without your constant guidance,” said Shri Kumar in his resignation letter.
The Vice-President’s Office wrote on X that Shri Kumar’s resignation has been accepted “with immediate effect”.
The BJD expressed their disappointment in Shri Kumar’s actions. In an official order, former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that, “He has let down the party, which sent him to the Rajya Sabha and the hopes and aspirations of the people of Kalahandi district.”
BJD MP Munna Khan said there will be no impact on the BJD with the removal of Kumar. “If a MLA or MP resigns or leaves the party, there will be no impact on the party, which will continue to move forward,” he said.
Similarly, BJD leader Pramila Mallik slammed Kumar for jumping to BJP for his “personal interest”. “Till last four years, when BJD was in power, he was enjoying everything and did not face any suffocation. But, soon after BJD lost power in the recent election, he became suffocated. What is his contribution to the party?” she asked.
He was appointed Special Secretary of State Planning Board in January 2016 by the erstwhile BJD government. Shri Kumar was elected to the Rajya Sabha unopposed in April 2020 while his tenure is scheduled to end in April 2026.
Shri Kumar is the second BJD MP to have resigned from the Rajya Sabha, after Kudumi community leader Mamata Mohanta. She was recently elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha, as a member of the BJP. Speculations are high that Shri Kumar may follow the same suit as Shrimati Mohanta.