2 senior BJP leaders in Odisha quit party; say they cannot be 'treated as furniture'

In a jolt to the BJP in Odisha, two senior leaders--Dilip Roy and Bijoy Mohapatra--on Friday resigned from the party, saying they cannot be 'treated as furniture' and 'showpieces'.

The move by the two BJP leaders came ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and state Assembly elections in 2019.

Besides sending a joint resignation letter to BJP president Amit Shah, Roy, who represents Rourkela constituency in the state Assembly, also resigned as an MLA.

The development sparked speculation that the two leaders may return to the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), of which both were founding members. While Mohapatra was expelled from the BJD in 2000, Roy was thrown out two years later.

Reacting to the development, BJP state unit president Basant Panda said the party would not be affected by the resignation.

Roy, once considered by many as the foster son of former chief minister Biju Patnaik, said he called on Assembly Speaker Pradip Amat Friday morning and tendered his resignation from the membership of the House.

The Speaker said he has accepted the resignation.

Roy is yet to spell his future political move but said he has decided not to contest the Assembly elections from Rourkela.

The resignation comes as bad news for the BJP which is making a determined bid to capture power in Odisha.

Stating they cannot be 'treated as furniture' in the party, Roy and Mahapatra said, "As self respecting politicians with decades of service to Odisha, we refuse to continue in the party as showpieces ... For us, the interest of the state is supreme. We have never ever compromised our self-respect or the interest of the state for any post, power or ticket."
In their resignation letter to Shah, Roy and Mahapatra said, "We regret to state that despite repeated efforts in apprising you on the sorry state of affairs of the party here, neither you nor any senior central party leader bothered to consult, review or take corrective measures."
The letter claimed that the people of Odisha were "disillusioned."