Two prominent women Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders have quit the ruling party, weeks ahead of the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the State.
While Hindol MLA Simarani Nayak resigned from the BJD on April 22, former Sambalpur legislator Raseswari Panigrahi announced her decision to quit on April 23.
Ms. Nayak resigned from the primary membership of the party, hours after being denied a ticket to contest the Assembly polls. She was replaced by Dhenkanal MP Mahesh Sahu.