Large-scale resignations hit BJD in Bhadrak; senior leader Prafulla Samal’s sons among those set to join BJP today

A series of coordinated resignations from the BJD across Bhadrak district has resulted in a major shift toward the BJP, with party officials confirming that multiple local representatives and office-bearers will formally join the BJP at its state headquarters in Bhubaneswar today. 

According to information available from district sources, the list includes the two sons of senior BJD leader Prafulla Samal and several elected rural bodies’ members, indicating one of the largest district-level defections in recent months.

Key Figures And Numbers Involved

Sources informed that Prayas Kanti Samal and Praneet Kanti Samal are likely to take BJP membership during the joining ceremony.

In addition, around 30 sarpanches, 35 samiti members and more than 100 ward members are expected to switch sides along with multiple organisational office-bearers. Party officials described the movement as involving representatives from different blocks rather than confined to a single region.

Resignations Recorded Across Four Blocks

The development comes after the district witnessed resignations of four block chairpersons during the last week, including Manoranajan Ghadei from Banta block, followed by Sumati Sethi in Bhandaripokhari, Urmila Nayak in Bhadrak block and Nagendra Prasad Biswal in Basudevpur.

Among other departures, the Manglapur panchayat sarpanch and the Bhadrak BJD district general secretary also left the party and entered the BJP. Several district-level BJD functionaries have confirmed receipt of resignation letters earlier this week.

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Sequence Of Developments Inside The District

According to reports, resignations were first reported from the Banta block last Saturday and continued through the week across other blocks. Local leaders said office-bearers from five Assembly segments tendered resignations before the planned joining event.

BJP district leaders stated that planning for a collective joining had been underway since last month and gained pace after the first block-level exit on Saturday.

The developments in Bhadrak also came up during the Odisha Assembly discussion on Friday. BJD MLA Goutam Buddha Das alleged that the BJP was inducing defections under what he termed “Operation Lotus”. The BJP rejected the allegation inside the House and stated that the exits were the result of internal issues within the BJD.

Meanwhile, the joining ceremony involving representatives from Bhadrak has been scheduled at the BJP state office in Bhubaneswar today, according to sources.