Major jolt to BJD in Bhadrak as senior leader Prafulla Samal’s family joins BJP

In a major political development, the BJD suffered a significant setback in Bhadrak after many family members of veteran leader Prafulla Samal and several grassroots representatives switched to the BJP on Saturday.

During an induction ceremony at the BJP state headquarters in Bhubaneswar, Samal’s sons Prayas Kanti Samal and Praneet Kanti Samal, along with his sister Urmila Nayak, who also serves as Bhadrak Block Chairperson, officially joined the saffron party. The move came even as Prafulla Samal had recently been tasked by BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik to strengthen the party organisation in the district.

Along with them, three block chairpersons, 30 Sarpanches, 35 Samiti Members and over 100 Ward Members also resigned from the BJD and merged with the BJP, marking a major organisational shift at the grassroots level.

The development follows the resignation of four block chairpersons last week, which had already shaken the BJD's base. With Prafulla’s immediate family joining the BJP, the situation escalated dramatically, pushing the Opposition party into a deeper crisis in Bhadrak.

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

The induction took place in the presence of BJP State President Manmohan Samal, under whose home turf the political churn has intensified.

"I have started my politics with the help of the BJP. I was the Chairman in 2003, and at that time, we had a coalition government. We didn't feel any problem by coming here. I am feeling as if returning to my old place," said Prayas Kanti.

"After you joined the BJP, the party has been strengthened not only in Basudevpur and Bhandaripokhari but also in Bhadrak district and Odisha. Our only aim is to work for solving the problems of people," said State BJP President Manmohan Samal.

Urmila Nayak, who resigned alongside them, stated that the BJD showed no concern for their grievances.

"After resigning from the BJD, none of the senior leaders reached out to us or listened to our grievances," said Urmila Nayak.

Reacting sharply, BJD tried to downplay the shift. "The rotten brinjals discarded by BJD have joined BJP, and they are of no use," said senior BJD leader Pramila Mallik.

The defection reflects broader unrest within the BJD, as several leaders across Odisha have been moving towards the ruling BJP. Even Rajya Sabha MPs Mamata Mohanta and Sujeet Kumar exited earlier, followed by former MP Amar Patnaik.

Political analyst Akshay Sahu claimed leaders inside the BJD are operating under stress.

"All BJD leaders, including MLAs and Rajya Sabha members, are currently experiencing an atmosphere of uncertainty, pressure and fear. They seem to be affected by an unseen force influencing their decisions and actions," said political analyst Akshay Sahu.

Currently, only Dhamnagar, Chandbali and Tihidi blocks remain under BJD control in Bhadrak. With the organisation rapidly shrinking, eyes are now on Naveen Patnaik’s next move as the party scrambles to regain ground.