MP Jay Panda Quits Biju Janata Dal With Scathing Letter to ‘Dear Naveen Babu’

Bhubaneswar: Lok Sabha MP Jay Panda parted ways with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday after months of strained ties with party president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Panda, who was suspended from the BJD in January for “weakening” the party, wrote an emotional letter to Patnaik, in which he said it was “irrefutable clear that the party wants me out”.

“It is with deep anguish, hurt and sorrow that I have decided to quit the kind of politics into which our BJD has descended,” Panda said.

A copy of Lok Sabha MP Jay Panda’s letter to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

“… it (the party) has plumbed the absolute depths of inhumanity when neither you nor anyone from the BJP turned up to pay their last respects to my father Dr. Bansidhar Panda, who as everyone knows was a very close friend, supporter and associate of Biju uncle (Naveen’s father) for many decade.”

In the letter, Panda pointed out that several leaders who were critical of Patnaik’s leadership years ago were still part of it. “It is ironic that many of the worst opponents and critics of you during our party’s first dozen years are now holding key positions in the party, while most of those who struggled with you to overcome them have been discarded.”

At the time of his suspension, Panda was thought to be leaning towards the BJP. Not having campaigned for BJD candidates in elections to panchayati raj institutions even in his own constituency, Panda was accused of indulging in “anti-party activities”, supporting opposition candidates.