Debashish Samantaray quits BJD, Rajya Sabha; latest in series of such exits

Another setback for BJD as Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray quits, likely to join BJP

BJD Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray resigned from the party, the third upper house defection in months, with BJP as his likely next destination. The exit shrinks BJD's Rajya Sabha bloc to five seats, marking the party's continued erosion after its 2024 electoral defeat as BJP systematically absorbs regional opposition legislators.