Bhubaneswar, Nov 25: In a major blow to the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), senior leader Debashish Samantaray has formally resigned from his position as Vice-President of the party’s Senior Citizen Cell.

In a resignation letter addressed directly to party President Naveen Patnaik, Samantaray questioned the significance and dignity of the rank he held within the party. He criticized his designation as "demeaning and humiliating" and raised concerns about the diminishing relevance of loyalists and veterans in the BJD.

Samantaray also expressed his discontent over what he perceives as the party’s departure from the legacy and ideologies of its founder, Biju Patnaik. He questioned whether the contributions of long-standing supporters, who have remained loyal to Naveen Patnaik throughout his political career, still hold any value within the current party structure. Despite his disillusionment, Samantaray reaffirmed his commitment to the BJD, clarifying that he would continue to work as a party member, but would not accept a bureaucratic title.

In his letter, Samantaray wrote, "After careful introspection, I feel deeply disappointed despite my unwavering loyalty. Not only for me, but for thousands of BJD workers, you remain our only hope for the future. I am confident that under your leadership, we will regain the confidence of the people of our state. However, since our electoral defeat last year, the party has failed to acknowledge the reasons for the loss or take corrective action."

The resignation comes amid rumors of a potential rift within the BJD’s Cuttack unit, adding further weight to the ongoing internal challenges within the party. As of now, the BJD has yet to issue an official response to Samantaray’s resignation.