BHUBANESWAR: BJD’s Sujeet Kumar resigned from Rajya Sabha on Friday, adding to the party’s challenges in maintaining unity among its members. This marks the second such instance in a span of less than two months, following Mamata Mohanta’s resignation and subsequent decision to join BJP. Mohanta was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha as a BJP nominee after her switch.

“Hon’ble Vice-President of India and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar has accepted the resignation of Shri Sujeet Kumar from the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) with immediate effect, finding the same in conformity with Article 101 3(b) of the Constitution,” a post in X by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s office said.
Sujeet’s resignation letter from the Rajya Sabha did not provide any specific reasons for his decision to step down. However, there are speculations circulating that he may be planning to emulate the actions of Mohanata and join BJP soon.
Sujeet’s six year-term was scheduled to end on April 2, 2026. Irrespective of whether he joins the saffron party, the seat fallen vacant by his resignation will go to BJP given its numerical strength of 78 MLAs in 147-member Vidhan Sabha in Odisha.
As a result of these developments, the BJD’s strength in the upper house has diminished to seven members, while the party currently has no representation in the Lok Sabha.
The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD, which appears to be grappling with the task of keeping its members united, quickly expelled Sujeet from the party citing his “anti-party activities.”
A native of Kalahandi district, Sujeet was perceived very close to BJD president Naveen Patnaik’s close aide VK Pandian. A lawyer and trained arbitrator, Sujeet has practiced in the Supreme Court, various high courts and tribunals. He holds an MBA degree from Saïd Business School, Oxford University and master in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), Harvard University.