Singhdeo resigns as BJP Legislature Party Leader in Odisha

Contrary to the tradition of holding the legislature party meeting at the state headquarters here, three of the six BJP MLAs assembled at the residence of Singhdeo for a formal discussion on the strategy to be adopted during the 10-day monsoon session of the assembly beginning here tomorrow.

"I received Singhdeo's resignation letter this afternoon. Since then, I have been in touch with the central leaders and a decision in this regard will be taken soon," BJP state president Jual Oram told reporters rejecting talk of a revolt in the state party.

On the reason behind MLAs not reaching the party office for a meeting convened by him, Jual said "Two MLAs - Jaynarayan Mishra and Karendra Majhi - are at Singhdeo's residence while three others are on the way. The meeting convened by me this evening is likely to be held later."

Singhdeo, on the other hand claimed he had given resignation letter to the state party chief on August 21. "As the party president did not have trust on me, there is no point in continuing as the leader of the legislature party," Singhdeo told reporters.

The MLA from Patnagarh in Bolangir district, however, said that he would follow partyline in the assembly and raise issues like other members.

Asked whether he plans to join the ruling BJD headed by Naveen Patnaik, Singhdeo said "BJD had earlier betrayed BJP before the 2009 elections. There is no question of joining BJD. If at all there is any alliance between BJP and BJD, I will take sanyas from politics."