Bhubaneswar: Actor-turned-politicians Anubhav Mohanty and Akash Das Nayak resigned from the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha.
Anubhav has sent his resignation to BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. While Anubhav is yet to make his next move public, he is stated to be planning to join Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Anubhav, who was elected from Kendrapada Lok Sabha constituency in 2019 defeating BJP’s Baijayant Panda, was reportedly sidelined in the ruling party over the last several months. The regional party appeared to have ignored him in its affairs, particularly the actor-turned-politician got embroiled in a family dispute.
His resignation came following denial of BJD ticket from Kendrapada Lok Sabha constituency, where the ruling party has fielded former MLA Anshuman Mohanty.
Similarly, in a video statement, Nayak, the former Korei MLA, announced his resignation from the primary membership of BJD. “After listening to my inner voice, for self-respect and the respect of Korei residents, I have decided to quit BJD,” he said.
The ex-MLA further stated that he would decide his next course of action after holding discussion with the people of Korei and his supporters. Stating that he continued to work for BJD for the last 5 years even after being denied a ticket in 2019 elections without any reason, Akash said he will decide his move after discussion with people of Korei and supporters.