In a big jolt to the state unit of the Congress, Khariar’s sitting MLA Adhiraj Panigrahi has resigned from the primary membership of the party.
The lawmaker sent his resignation letter to the president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), Sarat Pattanayak.
“I would like to inform you that, I am hereby tendering my resignation from all positions including the primary membership of the Indian National Congress with immediate effect,” read his resignation letter.
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However, he did not state the reason why he snapped the 25-year relationship with the grand old party.
“When people elected me, they hadn’t seen any party. After considering their opinions and those of my co-workers, I have decided to resign from the party. I have done what they wanted me to do,” said Panigrahi.
While there are speculations that he may join BJD, Panigrahi said he would take the decision of joining any political party only after meeting his followers and workers.