Rabindra Jena Quits BJD Ahead of Rajya Sabha Polls, BJP Switch Likely
Former Balasore MP Rabindra Jena has resigned from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), citing personal reasons in his letter to party chief Naveen Patnaik.
His exit comes at a crucial time, just ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections, sparking speculation about its impact on BJD’s numbers in the Odisha Assembly.
Adding to the intrigue, Jena’s wife and Basta MLA Subasini Jena hinted at possible cross-voting, saying “time will tell” whom she supports. Political observers believe her stance could prove decisive in the upcoming polls.
Reports suggest Rabindra Jena may formally join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on March 11, 2026, at the party’s state office in Bhubaneswar.
Jena, who represented Balasore in the Lok Sabha from 2014 to 2019, lost to BJP’s Pratap Sarangi in 2019 and has previously faced CBI questioning in the chit fund scam.
His resignation underscores the ongoing churn within the BJD after its loss of power in 2024, ending 24 years of uninterrupted rule in Odisha.
The developments around the Jena family are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the state’s political equations ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls.
