Sasmit Patra offers to quit as BJD Parliamentary Party leader in Rajya Sabha

Sasmit Patra, a two-time Rajya Sabha member, has submitted his resignation as leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the Upper House to Naveen Patnaik. The move is expected to pave the way for another MP to take over the leadership position. Patra's decision comes after Santrupt Misra, a political advisor to Patnaik, took oath as a Rajya Sabha member on Monday following his election victory. The BJD currently has six members in the Rajya Sabha and faces challenges with no representation in the Lok Sabha after losing seats in the 2024 general election.