In his resignation letter to Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Pattanaik, former Rajya Sabha member Sujeet Kumar has said that he has been systematically belittled in the party.
He added that the party does not require my services. "Therefore, I have taken this hard decision in the public interest and request you to accept my resignation," he stated.
He mentioned, “I take this opportunity to express my sincere and profuse gratitude to you for giving me an opportunity to serve the people of the divided Kalahandi district and to raise issues of the KBK region, and Odisha at large, at the national level.”
Screengrab of Sujeet Kumar's official resignation letter.
Notably, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has accepted the resignation of a Rajya Sabha member from Odisha, Sujit Kumar following his expulsion from the BJD.
According to a letter signed by Patnaik, Kumar has been expelled from the party with immediate effect for anti-party activities. "He has let down the party which sent him to Rajya Sabha and hopes and aspirations of people of Kalahandi district”, the letter read.
Meanwhile, Kumar in his resignation letter added, “I have always dedicated myself to the interest of the party and have, over the years, worked for the party with utmost conviction and commitment.”