In a significant political development, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Member of Parliament Mamata Mohanta has officially resigned from the Rajya Sabha, marking a crucial setback for the party following its loss of power in Odisha after 24 years.
Ms. Mohanta’s resignation from both her position and the BJD has led to speculation regarding her future political moves. With her departure, the number of BJD representatives in the Rajya Sabha has decreased from nine to eight.
Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar confirmed the acceptance of Mohanta’s resignation, stating, “I have received a letter from Mamata Mohanta resigning from her seat in Rajya Sabha, which I find to be constitutionally in order.” The resignation takes effect immediately.
In her resignation letter, Mohanta expressed gratitude for the platform she received to raise public issues in the House. In a separate letter addressed to BJD President Naveen Patnaik, she thanked him for the opportunity to serve the people of Mayurbhanj and represent Odisha on a national level. However, she noted, “I feel that there is no requirement for myself as well as my community in the BJD. Therefore, I have taken this hard decision in public interest.”
At 48 years old, Mohanta was elected to the Rajya Sabha on April 3, 2020, with her term set to run until April 2026. Her nomination had come against the backdrop of the BJD’s underwhelming performance in Mayurbhanj, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured six out of nine Assembly seats in the 2019 elections.
Mohanta, who represents the Kudumi community in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts, was initially nominated to strengthen BJD’s ties with this community that has been advocating for tribal status. However, the BJP has since swept all nine Assembly seats and one Lok Sabha seat in Mayurbhanj during the 2024 election.
Sources suggest that Mohanta faced frustrations over alleged interference from senior BJD leaders regarding the allocation of her MP-LAD funds. With her resignation, the BJP is poised to gain a significant advantage in the Rajya Sabha.
