Odishatv Bureau

Bhuabaneswar/ New Delhi: Former Kendrapara MP Baijayant 'Jay' Panda's resignation has been accepted on July 18, informed Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on the second day of the ongoing monsoon session of the Parliament at New Delhi on Thursday.

Mahajan today tabled Jay Panda's resignation on the floor of the House and briefed all the members about acceptance of his resignation.

"I hereby inform the members that I have accepted the resignation of Baijayant 'Jay' Panda from July 18," said Mahajan on the floor of the House today.

Earlier, the former MP had tendered his resignation from the ruling the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on May 28 and later tendered his resignation from the membership of Lok Sabha on June 12.

However, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan after a customary meeting with Jay Panda, had asked him to give his resignation a second thought.

However, firm on his decision, Panda, through a tweet yesterday had cleared the air that he has requested the Lok Sabha Speaker to accept his resignation.

"As Parliament's monsoon begins, I say adieu, after 18 yrs, 3 months, 2 wks & 1 day. Met Hon' Speaker y'day & said I cannot represent my former party anymore, it has strayed too far from its original principles & so, requested her to accept my resignation from Lok Sabha," Panda wrote in his tweet.

With Panda's resignation being accepted, BJD's strength has now reduced to 19 in the Parliament.

Sharing the memories of the House, the leader had also tweeted this morning:

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