Former Salepur MLA Prakash Behera snaps ties with BJD

Former Salepur MLA Prakash Chandra Behera on Thursday resigned from the primary membership of the BJD. He sent his resignation to party president Naveen Patnaik. 

While replying to the queries of journalists, Behera, who fought unsuccessfully from the Barabati-Cuttack Assembly seat, said he would do what his followers, well-wishers and senior residents of his locality would advise him. 

“My aim has been to work for the local residents as well as for the country. My next move will largely depend on what my followers, well-wishers and seniors wish me to do,” he said. 

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In his letter to the party chief, he said, “I believe in nationalism. I have been associated with people’s problems, development and organization. So I felt it necessary to take such a decision. I have been connected with the people of Tangi-Salepur for the last 25 years. In the coming days, I will try to pay off what I owe them.”

Worth mentioning, Behera had been elected to the Odisha Assembly from the Salepur constituency on a Congress ticket in 2014. Ahead of the 2019 general elections, he had resigned from Congress and joined BJP. On a BJP ticket, he had contested from the Salepur seat but had lost it to BJD’s Prashant Behera. Then he joined the BJD ahead of the 2024 elections.

In the 2024 general elections, he came third while Congress’ Sofia Firdous came victorious.