Dikhyaa Mohanty 
In response to comments made by BJP politician Nishikant Dubey about renowned Odisha leader Biju Patnaik, senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra resigned from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT.
“In protest and as a matter of principle, I am resigning from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT under the Chairmanship of Shri Nishikant Dubey,” Patra said in a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman on Saturday. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to work for someone who makes disparaging words about the late Shri. Biju Patnaik ji, as he did in a public speech today.
Patra requested that his resignation be accepted and forwarded to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, as the Committee functions under the Lok Sabha.
Taking to his X handle, Patra expressed deep shock over Dubey’s statement, describing it as “outrageous, false and irresponsible insinuations” against Biju Patnaik, a towering freedom fighter, visionary leader, and son of the soil whose contribution to the nation is beyond question.
“Such attempts to distort history and malign a revered leader for political narratives are unacceptable and condemnable,” Patra added.
