Expelled From BJD For 'Anti-Party Activities', Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar Joins BJP

The BJD on Friday expelled its Rajya Sabha member Sujeet Kumar, who later quit his Upper House membership, for anti-party activities.

BJD chief Naveen Patnaik said in an order that Kumar stood expelled from the party with "immediate effect for anti-party activities".

Kumar took no time to shift gears and switch to BJP. He joined the saffron party in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and other senior BJP leaders.

Naveen Patnaik had said in the order, "He (Kumar) has let down the party, which sent him to the Rajya Sabha and the hopes and aspirations of the people of Kalahandi district."

In a post on X, the vice-president's secretariat said Jagdeep Dhankhar had accepted Kumar's resignation from the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) with immediate effect, finding the same in conformity with Article 101 3(b) of the Constitution.

Vice-President Dhankhar is also the Rajya Sabha chairperson.

Following Kumar's resignation, the strength of the BJD in the Upper House fell to seven.

It has no representation in the Lok Sabha.

(With PTI inputs)