NEW DELHI: The expelled Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar on Friday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), shortly after his resignation from the Upper House of Parliament and expulsion from the party due to his involvement in “anti-party activities.”
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.
Kumar, in his resignation letter addressed to the Rajya Sabha chairman said that his decision to step down was a “conscious” one. “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,” Kumar added.
The BJD expressed their disappointment in Kumar’s actions. In an official order, BJD president and former Odisha 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.”
Kumar is second BJD MP to have resigned from the Rajya Sabha, after Kudumi community leader Mamata Mohanta. Mohanta was recently elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha,e as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
(With inputs from agencies)
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.
Kumar, in his resignation letter addressed to the Rajya Sabha chairman said that his decision to step down was a “conscious” one. “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,” Kumar added.
The BJD expressed their disappointment in Kumar’s actions. In an official order, BJD president and former Odisha 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.”
Kumar is second BJD MP to have resigned from the Rajya Sabha, after Kudumi community leader Mamata Mohanta. Mohanta was recently elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha,e as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
(With inputs from agencies)