“Felt Systematically Belittled”: Naveen Patnaik Aide Debashish Samantray Quits BJD, Sparks BJP Buzz

In a major political development in Odisha, senior Debasish Samantray on Monday stepped down from the primary membership of the Biju Janata Dal, delivering a setback to the party led by Naveen Patnaik.

Samantray, who is currently a Rajya Sabha MP and has long been seen as a close confidant of Patnaik, submitted his resignation letter to the BJD chief, saying he no longer felt valued within the organisation and believed the party did not require his services anymore.

In his resignation letter dated May 25, 2026, the veteran leader said he had always served the party with “conviction and commitment,” but described his decision to resign as both painful and necessary. He also stated that he felt “systematically belittled” despite years of political work for the regional outfit.

Even while announcing his exit, Samantray thanked Naveen Patnaik for giving him the opportunity to represent Odisha in Parliament and for entrusting him with responsibilities connected to the undivided Cuttack district and the state at the national level.

His departure is expected to reduce the BJD’s strength in the Rajya Sabha from six members to five, further impacting the party’s parliamentary presence after recent electoral setbacks.

The resignation has also triggered intense speculation over Samantray’s possible next political move. Political circles in Odisha are abuzz with reports that the Rajya Sabha MP could move closer to the Bharatiya Janata Party and may even return to Parliament with the saffron party’s backing in the future.

Samantray’s exit comes more than a year after the BJD leadership had fielded him as a Rajya Sabha candidate alongside party leader Subhasish Khuntia for the Upper House elections.