Former MP Hema Gamang quits BJD

Former MP Hema Gamang resigned from Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday, claiming the party was "ignoring" her and negligent towards her constituency.

The wife of former Odisha Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang tendered her resignation to Chief Minister and BJD President Naveen Patnaik.

"I had quit the party mentally for a long time. But, today I formally resigned from the party.

"The party had been ignoring me and my supporters. Neither I nor my supporters were allowed to meet the Chief Minister whenever we wanted to discuss constituency issues with him. If we leaders are not able to meet him, how he will meet the public and sort out their grievances," she alleged.

Gamang said that she decide on joining any other party later.

"I have not decided about my next move now. I will think about it after holding a meeting with my well-wishers and supporters," she said.

Speculation is rife that she might join the BJP, having met Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan earlier this month. Her husband, who had quit the Congress, joined the BJP in 2015.

She had herself joined the BJD just before the 2014 general elections. She was elected to the 13th Lok Sabha in 1999 on a Congress ticket.

--IANS

cd/vd