Hema Gamang quits BJD

Bhubaneswar/ Rayagada: After stirring controversy within the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) with a string of allegations over governance and party's internal functioning, Hema Gamang, the wife of ex-Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang, tendered her resignation from the party today.

Hema submitted her resignation letter to party supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik citing that she was 'grossly neglected' in the party.

Addressing a press conference in Rayagada, Hema Gamang announced her decision to quit the party citing seven reasons including ‘corrupt PC (percentage) practice’ and statements of party MP on tribal community.

"I have sent my resignation to party supremo. All the supporters who had joined BJD were neglected and we are repenting such a decision," said Hema.

Earlier Hema had stirred a controversy by launching an attack on party supremo Naveen Patnaik over misgovernance and accusing him of allowing his private secretary VK Pandian to call the shots in all the party affairs.

Hema had further alleged that it was practically impossible to meet Patnaik without permission of Pandian.

The former Lok Sabha MP Hema had joined BJD after quitting Congress just before the 2014 general elections. Though she had contested the polls from Laxmipur constituency, she was defeated.

Though Hema Gamang has not clarified whether she would be joining any other political party or not, speculations are rife that she might join BJP as she had met Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on April 15.